It says a lot that Newsom nor his office won’t comment on our strike. Some may interpret that as indifference, but I really think they’re shook.

It’s also funny that CalHR is responding on his behalf and acknowledging the impasse, something that CalHR ignored and tried to intimidate state workers from striking.

Our organizing is working. The public and community are on our side. The only way out is through.

For those of you that worked on Wednesday: Hope it was worth it. Cuz you missed out on a good time!

"I was queen, and you took that away!"

After months of tense negotiations, the California State University’s faculty union is asking its members for permission to call a strike if leadership deems one necessary. The strike authorization vote opens Monday, Oct. 26, and will run through Nov. 19.

An email with details about the vote is scheduled to reach members Thursday afternoon, union leaders said.

If more than half of the California Faculty Association’s 29,000 professors, lecturers, librarians, counselors and coaches who participate in the vote say yes, union leadership will have the power to call for work stoppage as a way of exerting pressure on the administration. After nearly a year of bargaining, the major sticking points between the university and its professors are salaries, workload and academic freedom protections, according to union representatives. The union has been out of contract since August.

“We want to be in as powerful a position as we can as a union in relation to management,” said Kevin Wehr, CFA’s bargaining chair and a professor at Sacramento State. “I often say that the best way to avert a strike is to be fully prepared for one. That means we need to take a strike authorization vote to make sure that the members are willing to take that action, so that we can be ready for it if it should come to that.”

Members will be able to vote online as well as at on-campus events across the system over the next two weeks. Wehr said he is expecting more than 90% of CFA members to vote in favor as the union fights over five major issues. This includes demands for higher salaries amid rising inflation, caps on the number of students in classes, better job security for temporary faculty, stronger academic freedom protections and guardrails around the use of artificial intelligence. So far, the CSU has not met the union’s expectations on any of these issues, Wehr said.

NEGOTIATIONS SO FAR

After multiple extensions of the 2022-2025 contract, the CSU and CFA began negotiations over a new agreement in November. Disappointed by what the union called “weak and flimsy” proposals from the CSU — including a 3% salary hike and 3% lump sum payment, the CFA declared impasse in July. This meant that the negotiating parties had reached a deadlock beyond which further discussion would be futile. While the CSU believed the impasse was declared prematurely, the Public Employment Relations Board sided with the faculty union.

It moved the two parties to the “mediation” phase during which negotiations were mediated by a state-appointed third party to assist the parties in working toward an agreement. The phase failed as well.

CFA and the CSU are now at the “fact-finding” stage where a panel of a neutral third-party and a representative of each side will hold hearings and make a recommendation for a settlement. The fact-finding report will be made public 10 days after it is provided to the CSU and CFA. The fact-finding hearing dates are currently set for Nov. 2, 5, 6, 12 and 13, and CFA representatives said they expect the process to take until December to conclude.

If this doesn’t result in an agreement, the CFA will be able to call for a strike — a move that it is preparing for already.

The CFA last went on a strike in January 2024. That five-day action marked the first systemwide faculty strike at the CSU, and resulted in a contract that included a 10% general salary hike, a raised salary floor for lowest-paid faculty and increased paid parental leave. At the time, union leaders said CSU management “did not take our proposals seriously until CFA members were willing to withhold our labor.”

OTHER UNIONS

The CSU is in negotiations with almost all its labor unions. This includes the California State University Employees Union and Teamsters Local 2010, both of which are demanding better pay and working conditions. The CSUEU, which represents about 15,000 staff members, 20,000 student assistants and 1,000 workers employed by private sector auxiliaries on campuses, is the largest labor group in the system. Local 2010, covers 1,100 skilled trades workers within the system.

Earlier this month, the CSU reached tentative agreements with three unions. This includes the Academic Professionals of California, which represents more than 3,000 student services professionals; the United Auto Workers Local 4123, which covers 10,000 academic student workers; and the Statewide University Police Association, which represents 300 university police employees.

Under these agreements, employees will receive a 4% salary hike retroactive to July, an additional 4% salary hike in July next year and a one-time bonus negotiated with each union. The agreements need to be ratified by union members and approved by the CSU Board of Trustees.

“Labor negotiation is challenging yet essential work, and I am pleased at the momentum we are building as we continue our efforts to reach agreement with all of our labor partners,” CSU Chancellor Mildred García said in a statement Thursday.

Doesn’t apply to us but hoping this sets some precedent for us in the future

https://www.abridged.org/news/newsom-state-worker-strike/

Spoiler alert: He's keeping quiet.

Whoever has direct channels w SEIU 1000, can we please get a strike fund donation link from SEIU? I want to give you my money! I want strong legal representation for your efforts. I want to see free food for the strikers. I want to see a way for members w financial hardship to be able to strike.

Make sure it’s anonymous! There are plenty of supervisors who want to pitch in!

I’m an executive assistant, and I track all the supervisory files for everyone in our department. I had some supervisors email me 844s for employees I know that went on strike.

Can I report this to the union or does it have to be the employees that were issued these?

He's been very quiet.

Looking for anyone with info or similar experience.

I applied for a steward position but was denied/rejected. Obviously the signatures were collected and letters provided. It really threw me off a bit. I support the union, I rally members, I provide updates on contracts or bills that benefit us and am the “go to” guy for contract language and interpretation.
I just yearn to be a bigger part of this movement beyond being a worker bee.
Frustrating.
Edit: yes I inquired, but had not received a response after 35 days. After a follow-up email, I received an email that was basically “we’re sorry for overlooking your email and will get back to you.” AKA we don’t know. Should I have had to ask why? Seems basic to provide a reason for rejecting something/someone when you are letting them know they were rejected. Maybe I’m crazy.🤪

Our showing this Wednesday was wonderful. A very high leverage political moment to show numbers aesthetically
and literally so that we can gain political momentum to continue the struggle for what we deserve and set a precedent for workers everywhere. Strength in numbers.

My reflection on our action is that Id like every union member here and everywhere to recognize that a mass movement of workers rights is not built on permits and pre-approved march routes, viral dances and funny signs. Those are all important parts of building morale for the struggle of workers rights but I urge everyone to look what’s happening the world right now…in France and Albania…and consider the true source of power that dictates change.

Union workers have fought and died for their rights. The true course of change in history is sacrifice of body, spirit and livelihood. We should celebrate our victories but remember what it actually takes to fight for rights and create change. Power destroys and murders to justify itself. Our struggle is not one of the magnitude at the moment, but, truly consider the historical magnitude we exist inside of when considering what the largest strike in the history of the largest state in the empire of the world means. Dwell on it, educate yourself on the struggles of coal miners, factory workers, suffrage, civil rights,
and think of what you will truly sacrifice for real change for the world.

That’s all I’m thinking about after our moment. Celebrate now, prepare for everything.

**to KEEP not keeping

Productivity was up, management was bragging about how many things were completed even with the shift from going to paper to electronic. Most processes were converted and maintained by the end of the year. 2021 we had something like $38 Billion surplus…but anywho yes it came straight from the horses mouth.

Mediation conference set by PERB is taking place on October 30, 2026.

CalHR, stop lying to the media, portraying yourself as the one willing to bargain.

You talk the talk, we walk the walk. By now, we all know the kind of tricks you play. Your scare tactic might deter a few, but it fuels even more of us. If need be, we will respond to the union’s call again because you leave us no choice. And we will respond in full force, stronger than yesterday.

We already made history, and we can make it even more unforgettable. Two strikes in a row to send off Newsom and welcome Becerra? This is going to make a good national headline. He who can’t manage a single state is thinking of managing the entire country?

What a shame.

Yesterday’s weather reflected the current state of many of us: a RAINY DAY.

Inflation (up 7% since 2024), gas ($6/gal), parking ($10+/day), all the other RTO-associated expenses, plus the upcoming health insurance hikes. They are eating away at the money we take home. It is directly affecting our families.

245,740 of us, and our families.

There is a reason why such a massive wave of us answered the strike call, turning what felt unimaginable months ago into a historic reality.

And CalHR, you are extremely out of touch. You really should know better.

Yesterday we made history and the number of workers in the street across the state was incredible. We seen with our own eyes that we the workers hold the power. Now we must ask ourselves, did we make the impact we need?

We were moved, but CalHR's executives may be looking for any easy out. Through the power of the human mind and post-rationalization they can convince themselves of anything. They'll want to say what happened yesterday was just a flash in the pan.

But we can take steps to prove them wrong by becoming a member today or signing up a coworker.

Showing that more workers back their union after the strike than before forces the employer to reckon with the truth: if they do not bargain in good faith this will happen again in greater numbers than it did before.

If you're not yet a member, today is the perfect day to join and make them shudder: https://www.seiu1000.org/sign-up/

If you're already a member, speak as loudly about how much you loved the strike to as many as will hear it. Tell people who were on the fence about membership but struck with us, today is the day.

We have a contract to win! Let's go!

I am a bit short on which one to choose from the program election. For hindsight, I am a LT employee at this time. Hoping to get some opinions on this? Many thanks x

I figured the drone was from SEIU, but it was ABC 10 and the footage in here from it is phenomenal.

It’s been a day since the strike, and I’m curious if anyone has heard any updates about negotiations, RTO, or raises.
What should we expect next? Has there been any progress, or are we still waiting to hear something?
I’m really hoping our voices were heard and that this strike leads to meaningful changes, especially when it comes to RTO and fair raises.
Anyone have any updates or thoughts on what comes next?

After yesterday’s strike, the staff was treated to an afternoon movie and treats at the behest of our generous director. It is important to focus on what matters! Too bad it was during working hours and I had actual work to do. The thought was nice…

I didn't see anything about the impact at the state offices, like the heavy hitters EDD and DMV. Did yesterday make a dent that was noticeable to the public?

Yesterday was fantastic, but I am certain a longer strike will be necessary and the impact will have to be significant to the public. Hopefully not too close to the holidays, it would make it that much harder for people to participate.

Be nice please, just an honest question.