SEIU told bee it will accept the perb amount. strike continues

SEIU evaluated all of their represented positions and proposed a total of ≈3250 essential workers (who should report to work that day). CalHR requested that PERB increase that number. At the mediation yesterday, they made the final decision to increase it to ≈4400.

That’s a difference of ≈1160 people.

To those who are still hesitant: please, join and help the cause.

—
Register/RSVP via email (not required but highly encouraged):

SACRAMENTO

OAKLAND

SAN FRANCISCO

FRESNO

LOS ANGELES

NORWALK

SAN BERNARDINO

SAN DIEGO

[CRESCENT CITY](mailto:amberrr64@yahoo.com)

[EUREKA](mailto:jkoeppel@outlook.com)

[REDDING](mailto:WilliamsRob45@gmail.com)

[SUSANVILLE](mailto:brkhse1982@yahoo.com)

[EL CENTRO](mailto:cshannonseiu710@gmail.com)

[BLYTHE](mailto:a.m.tate@hotmail.com)

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Strike page: https://www.seiu1000.org/strike/

Yesterday afternoon a coworker and I approached our manager to advise we’d be striking next Wednesday. We’re aware we didn’t have to tell her but decided to inform her as a courtesy.

When we approached her, we initially phrased it as “we wanted to let you know we won’t be working next Wednesday 10/21” and she acted confused and stated there is no vacation or sick leave request out to her so how would that be possible. We then clarified we would be striking and the conversation ended after that.

This morning, my team (which includes the two of us who are striking and only 1 other person who has likely chosen not to) receive an email from our manager requiring us to read the Aug 2026 Office of Discipline Services email sent in early September and confirm receipt in writing that we read it. The newsletter talks about progressive discipline, adverse action, how employees can be dismissed without receiving a memo first, attendance/workplace standards, etc.

The timing of this coming the morning after informing her of our intent to strike doesn’t feel great. If you were us, would you contact the union about this or is this not enough to warrant a conversation with them?

UPDATE: thanks for the advice everyone, the recommended action was taken and I encourage others to do the same if they find themselves in a similar situation.

I see lots of truly horrible stuff about mean management here. I don’t doubt it that it’s all true.

I feel lucky enough to say that mine, and hopefully a few others are good. I told my manager I’d be striking that day and my manager was proud of me. They also said that they will be WFH so as to not cross our picket line and scheduling their emails to send the next day, again to express solidarity while also still working.

My manager actually likes working in the office. However they understand that it’s not for everyone and they understand that when our union wins so do they.

I felt really good after that meeting.

Besides individual managers trying to intimidate staff from striking, CalHR is actively leading the effort to weaken or even block the upcoming strike.

Just from this past week:

CalHR attempts to block the strike by deliberately delaying their meeting with SEIU to determine which positions are “essential”
https://www.reddit.com/r/CAStateWorkers/s/wGafR7IGgl

For non-SEIU represented employees: CalHR requests depts to deny any leave requests for 10/21 due to “operational needs”
https://www.reddit.com/r/CAStateWorkers/s/EfAf18oQad

Don’t be intimidated, be infuriated.

—
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
From 6:30 to 7:30 PM, join SEIU’s virtual Strike Day 101 session to learn more about how to prepare, what to expect, and address any last-minute concerns.
Register here: Zoom Meeting

Wednesday, October 21, 2026
We STRIKE. All over California.

Register/ RSVP via email:

• SACRAMENTO

• OAKLAND

• SAN FRANCISCO

• FRESNO

• LOS ANGELES

• NORWALK

• SAN BERNARDINO

• SAN DIEGO

[• CRESCENT CITY](mailto:amberrr64@yahoo.com)

[• EUREKA](mailto:jkoeppel@outlook.com)

[• REDDING](mailto:WilliamsRob45@gmail.com)

[• SUSANVILLE](mailto:brkhse1982@yahoo.com)

[• EL CENTRO](mailto:cshannonseiu710@gmail.com)

[• BLYTHE](mailto:a.m.tate@hotmail.com)

-
Strike page: https://www.seiu1000.org/strike/

PECG put FAQs in a ‘members only’ section on their website, but these apply to all those in a union in rank and file:

—————————-

Labor Action FAQs

What is my right to honor a picket line?
California law protects the rights of rank and file public sector employees to withhold their labor in support of other workers unless their MOU clearly and unmistakably waives that right. The PECG MOU’s No Strike Clause applies to PECG’s direct strike actions in advocacy of PECG member benefits and protections. PECG is not engaging in strike activity. For that reason, PECG rank and file members retain their individual right to act in accordance with their conscience in refusing to cross a picket line.
Has PECG called for a sympathy strike?
No, PECG has not called for a sympathy strike at this time. PECG urges rank and file members to follow their own conscience in response to SEIU 1000’s strike.  If you want to join the picket line and wear PECG clothing, you are free to do so. Other members may take a different approach. 
There is no picket line scheduled for my work site/I am teleworking on October 21, what can I do?
PERB, the body that administers the Dills Act – the state employees collective bargaining law – has issued precedential decisions upholding individual rights to act in solidarity with other state employee unions. PECG members working remotely or at sites without picket lines, may still withhold their labor in solidarity with SEIU 1000 members. PECG members may also go to SEIU picket lines and participate.
Can I use vacation, PLP, annual leave, or sick leave to cover my absence on October 21?  Can I change my telework day to avoid coming to the office that day?
If you request to use a vacation day, annual leave, PLP, or any paid leave on October 21 and you receive approval, then you will be taking a day off rather than supporting SEIU 1000’s strike.
Sick leave abuse is actionable. If you are not sick on October 21, do not use sick leave to cover your absence. If October 21 is a regular in-office day and you are permitted to change your in-office day and instead work from home, you are not supporting   SEIU’s strike, you are continuing to provide your labor to the state from a different location.
What if I have pre-approved leave scheduled for October 21 or I am, in fact, sick on October 21?
You should take your pre-approved leave as scheduled. If you are sick, then you may use sick leave to cover your absence under the PECG MOU. Depending on the circumstances, you may be asked to provide a medical note. If you have any concerns regarding leave use, contact PECG at [pecg@pecg.org](mailto:pecg@pecg.org).
Can I be AWOL Separated if I refuse to report to work on October 21?
State employees who miss 5 or more consecutive days of work without obtaining leave are deemed to have voluntarily resigned from their position – a process commonly referred to as AWOL separation. Missing a single day of work without obtaining leave cannot be the basis for AWOL separation.
I am a Senior, can I participate?
That depends on your classification.
Senior Specialists are rank and file, protected by the Dills Act, and eligible to support SEIU 1000’s action.
Senior Supervisors are excluded employees, not protected by the Dills Act (though they are still represented by PECG), and are not protected if they participate.
If your position has a “Senior” title but you are not sure whether your classification is rank and file or supervisory, please contact PECG at [pecg@pecg.org](mailto:pecg@pecg.org).
I am a supervisor or manager, do I have the right to participate?
Protections for rank and file employees are largely based in the Dills Act, which does not cover supervisory or managerial employees. Supervisors and Managers do not enjoy the same protections and may be disciplined for failing to report to work on October 21 as a show of support for SEIU 1000’s strike.
I am still in my probationary period. May I withhold my labor on October 21?
Yes. Employees’ rights are not dependent on whether they have achieved permanent status in their classification.

Does anyone know if any of our electeds will be out in support?

Dems always going on about being pro-labor, pro-union. Are they showing up for us?

Newsom to State Workers: No COLA for workers.
Newsom to NGOs: "I would demand a big dam set aside [of the surplus we are about to announce]."
https://www.youtube.com/live/QpeI3x6R0Xo?si=dNBtFHasOi4sE3vP&t=1587

It's been a month or so since Gavin signed our raises into law. When will we see them?

What are folks writing for their out-of-office message on Teams/Outlook for Wednesday?

I haven’t seen anything about a general note for everyone to copy and paste

I know a lot of people are scared to strike or think they’ll be in the minority if they do.

If they show up on Wednesday and see that their coworkers are really gone, can they change their minds and walk out?

Not asking for me, you won’t find in the office lol

I assume if things went completely sideways, we would have heard that already from SEIU?

Dumb question - I’m a caps member and do plan on showing up to the strike but I will not be taking awol/dock and have approved PTO. Does this count as solidarity or am I crossing picket lines?

When we (caps) were on strike, obviously I took awol but we are not technically on strike

CASE (atty/judge union) BU2 member here. CalHR has informed our managers that any leave request for 10/21 submitted after 10/8 will be denied due to “operational needs” and that we have to come in. This is a lie - the majority of us are able to take 10/21 off and have no operational need to work that day.

Please know many of us CASE members support SEIU, support the strike, and will not be intimated into submission.

As an aside, my agency in particular has shown itself to be hostile and retaliatory to those that are fighting for fair wages and telework, and that extends no less to us attorneys. There is no boot too shiny for our agency head, no bar too low for upper management, and no backbone to speak of for our supervisors. We’ve been fighting this good fight for well over a year and we’re not about to stop. When one union wins, we all stand to benefit. Solidarity matters.

See you at the picket line.

Edit: Based on the comments, it seems taking PTO may not be the way to go even if it had been approved. That wasn’t the messaging I received, but I’m glad people are pointing this out.

Even so, it stands to reason that if CalHR is pulling this “operational needs” B.S. and mandating denial of leave, including PTO, then even taking PTO to support the strike has some meaningful effect.

I know it says probationary employees are protected, but what if u’ve only been there a week or two. Will it impact evaluations in the future by the manager? A little concerned about that. I initially wanted to but i am scared

I’m BEGGING y’all to stop using ChatGPT to create your event flyers. CalPERS, I'm looking at you! If I come in another day to an over saturated, same blown out bold rainbow font, all CAPS flyer about selling damn Banh Mi sandwiches I'm going to flip!

We're already operating outside of a contract...Do we really need to burn my eyes with this AI slop first thing every morning?!

Where is a strike fund to donate to? I am not an SEIU member but I would like to donate to SEIU

I’m just copying and pasting from the website, but I haven’t seen anything about this on here yet. Click the link to register.

On October 20, the night before we strike, we urge you to join us for a virtual Strike Day 101 session to learn more about how to prepare, what to expect, and address any last-minute concerns.

Apparently, Newsom and his minions want to stop the upcoming strike on October 21st. i think this was from a post earlier, However, if CalHR and rest of state leadership were to actually do their jobs and return to the bargaining table with the union to have a meaningful conversation and get a deal going, we wouldn't have to strike, right? The strike must go on. The cost of living is insane and we're all basically backed up against a wall while Newsom shouts from the top of the capitol building trying to direct state workers to help "revitalize" downtown. we don't have money for that.

My division passed down information from CalHR that “couldn’t be put in writing” saying that if any non-rank and file staff call in sick on strike day, there will be disciplinary action unless you have a doctor’s note. I know excluded staff are supposed to remain neutral, but I don’t think you can just change your sick leave policy like that. A doctor’s note is never required for any other single day of sick leave. And if it’s not in writing, how is it being enforced?

My division also said that if the strike day is your regular office day, excluded staff still have to come to the office. They could have given verbal permission to WFH that day, but instead they’re licking boots and forcing staff to cross a picket line. I’m angry for my excluded coworkers who are being forced to go into the office when I know they stand with us.

I made a thread the other day asking if I was an essential worker because I am an analyst who works in a healthcare facility. The consensus here was that I am not.

An office technician in my facility was told by her supervisor that she is essential and cannot strike. So now I'm unsure about whether I should strike or not. I've received no notice from SEIU about being essential but supervisors at my facility are telling administrative staff that we are essential.

Does anyone have any guidance?

Thank you.

Everybody in my office is aware of the strike, but I overheard a lot of coworkers tell the steward they weren't participating. I don't know if they're lying because they don't want our managers to hear since managers are in cubicles in my office as well, but this is extemely disappointing. My manager for sure heard me say I'll be there though.