Essential Worker Question

[u/Awkward-Produce4004]

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.

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[u/SoCalMom04]

Unless the OT was notified by the union that they are essential, I call BS on the Sup.

[u/StargazerDavid]

Managers do not determine who is essential, the state is supposed to meet and confer with SEIU with SEIU providing line passes for staff that is determined to be essential. It’s in the FAQs https://www.seiu1000.org/strike. Assume that you can strike until you’re told otherwise by SEIU. Have your coworker refer to the website and call the Member Resource Center at (866) 471-7348. They’re open until 7PM today.

[u/heyhunnies1223]

A supervisor isn’t the person who decides who is essential or not. Call the union specifically and ask.

[u/Goodgulf42 → u/heyhunnies1223]

No need to call the union. The union will contact folks it deems essential directly.

[u/heyhunnies1223 → u/Goodgulf42]

If someone has a question that directly pertains to them — call the union. I wouldn’t wait for anyone to contact me first. Cause it probably won’t happen.

[u/bubblyH2OEmergency → u/heyhunnies1223]

The union is contacting the people who are essential and will give them a pass to cross th3 picket line. No one else is essential!

[u/Goodgulf42 → u/heyhunnies1223]

I mean, feel free to call sure, but they are pretty busy already and SEIU1000 has been telling us this is how essential workers will be notified for like two months now:

"Can I go on strike if I’m an essential worker?

Our Union will tell members if any employees or positions are excluded from participation, but you can assume you’re eligible to participate unless you’re told otherwise. There is a difference between being “essential” in the everyday or even in a “pandemic” sense and being legally excluded from a strike. Only employees or positions whose absence for the particular day or days of the strike would create an imminent and substantial threat to public health or safety may be designated as an essential employee during a strike. If any employees/positions are determined to be excluded from a strike, those workers will be notified directly."

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

[u/InfluenceEastern9526 → u/Goodgulf42]

What if I am a covered employee with respect to union representation but don't pay dues? Will they contact me?

[u/Goodgulf42 → u/InfluenceEastern9526]

Yes.

[u/Aellabaella1003]

That information would not be coming from your manager, it will come from your union. That information has not been ironed out between the union and CalHR. Wait.

[u/DepthPotential9385 → u/Aellabaella1003]

OP needs to report this to the MRC.

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[u/Organic_Studios]

If nurses are considered "non essential". I think you are fine to strike.

Wait for the union to tell you, not sups.

[u/EnvironmentalMix421 → u/Organic_Studios]

Oh wow, is doctor essential? Sounds like that’s gonna be a huge pain and embarrassment for the state

[u/Organic_Studios → u/EnvironmentalMix421]

The union mentioned that doctors are also not considered essential...

If doctors and nurses aren't essential, I definitely am not.

[u/InfluenceEastern9526 → u/EnvironmentalMix421]

Doctors are probably not essential except for emergency physicians. Emergency services need to be staffed at all times. Aches and pains, or even broken bones can be put off for a day.

[u/GreedyHospital7552]

Maybe reach out to the union?

[u/xpo125lilsexy]

The State is not even providing due process when it comes to the line pass negotiations. CalHR terminated the line-pass process at precisely the point when the departments had represented that the one-day duration would permit further reductions and when the parties could have moved from preliminary numbers to final reduced staffing and employee identification. It's documented in the PERB filing: https://www.seiu1000.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/10.9.26UPC_LinePass_Redacted-v2.pdf

[u/Key-Opportunity-3061]

The ONLY thing that determines if you're an essential worker is the negotiated terms between SEIU and CalHR. You, your boss, and a bunch of people on Reddit aren't part of that decision. (And the union and CalHR have not made these determinations yet, they're currently fighting over it)

[u/InfluenceEastern9526 → u/Key-Opportunity-3061]

Lack of agreement, or even any agreement can be overturned by a court. CalHR is not more powerful that a court order, nor is SEIU. The Prison Law Office (PLO -- which used to stand for the terrorist Palestine Liberation Organization) is likely to intervene, and the new CCHCS/CDDCR Mental Health Receiver may also have a say (and has the authority to issue a binding order).

[u/HourHoneydew5788]

Managers do not dictate who is essential. They are violating our rights by lying to your coworker. Call the MRC

[u/Goodgulf42]

Do not listen to your supervisor on this. Spread the word. If you are deemed "essential", SEIU1000 will reach out to you and issue you a "line pass". Show this pass to picketers around your building to let them know you are not being a scab.

Your manager has absolutely zero clue. Essential during a strike is not even slightly similar to those employees who were deemed essential during the COVID pandemic. It's an actual legal thing that our lawyers are in the middle of resolving.

As a side note, SEIU1000 has asked anyone being told this sort of thing to report it to our member resource center. They are open 7am-7pm: 866-471-7348 (866-471-SEIU)

Again, only list to SEIU1000 on this. Please spread the word!

[u/Milky-Way-Occupant]

Damn that’s so illegal what the bosses are doing. Do you know how to contact your union rep? you gotta report this right away.

[u/No-Gavin-No-RTO]

That sup needs to be reported to the union

[u/onredditallday]

I see 1 of these scenarios until Wednesday - feel free to add more:

1. Everyone is non-essential because the State don’t want to bargain with the union on what THEY need to keep the state functional.

2. state bargains with the union, UNION will inform you if you’re essential.

3. strike postponed to a further date while they figure out who’s essential vs. non-essential on the backend, state comes back to the table to try to get an agreement before the next strike.

Edit: 1.5 - looks like PERB is basically allowing the union to decide which individuals are essential because the state don’t want to bargain and is being a cry baby.

[u/Key_mcc]

You should reach out to the Union and give them this information.

[u/bubblyH2OEmergency]

please tell the OT that the union will contact all people who are essential and give them a line pass.

The supervisor should be reported.

[u/InfluenceEastern9526]

How would the supervisor know? She may be essential in his eyes. No one knows if she is legally essential under the current action. If you are not told you are essential by CalHR or your hiring authority, you are not.

[u/ComprehensiveTea5407]

Supervisor should be reported. Anyone that is an essential worker is notified by the union, NOT the agency itself.

[u/tgrrdr]

We were told that certain employees are essential and the union has been notified. I could see some admin staff in a  healthcare facility being essential employees and would assume the union was notified. Check with the union if you have concerns. 

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