Tens of thousands of California state employees walked off the job on October 21 in the first statewide strike by their union, SEIU Local 1000, after contract negotiations stalled.
The union represents more than 100,000 workers across state agencies, including nurses, auditors, custodians and office staff. Picketing took place in cities across California, according to the Associated Press.
The dispute centers on pay, health-care costs and return-to-office requirements. SEIU Local 1000 described the walkout as an unfair-practice strike.
The one-day action could affect public services, including DMV and unemployment offices, KQED reported. For HR teams, the dispute highlights how bargaining over compensation and workplace requirements can coincide with planning for service continuity during industrial action.
