California State Employees Strike for Better Pay, Benefits and Work Rules

WHO:

KCRA - SEIU Local 1000 is leading the strike and negotiating with the state over a new contract.

KCRA - The union represents around 100,000 California state workers across 140 state departments and agencies, including cooks, custodians, nurses and office staff.

KCRA - Employees considered essential are exempt from the walkout.

ABC News US - California state workers are striking and urging Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration to agree to a new contract.

WHAT:

KCRA - Thousands of California state workers are staging a one-day strike over contract disputes.

KCRA - SEIU Local 1000 is seeking a 20% pay raise over three years, reductions in healthcare costs and changes to telework policies.

KCRA - Workers are expected to rally in downtown Sacramento at noon.

KCRA - SEIU last authorized a strike in 2016 but did not conduct a statewide walkout.

ABC News US - Workers are striking to seek increased pay, affordable healthcare access and greater flexibility for remote work.

WHERE:

KCRA - The May Lee State Office Complex in Sacramento is one of multiple strike sites.

KCRA - Workers are expected to rally in downtown Sacramento.

ABC News US - The strike involves California state workers and a contract with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration.

WHEN:

KCRA - The walkout is described as a one-day strike.

ABC News US - The strike is described as a one-day strike.

WHY:

KCRA - The strike is over disputes with the state concerning a new contract, pay, healthcare costs and telework policies.

ABC News US - Workers are urging the governor’s administration to agree to contract terms on pay, healthcare access and remote-work flexibility.

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 19:23 UTC)

Thousands of California state workers are staging a one-day strike, pressing Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration to agree to a new contract. SEIU Local 1000 is leading the walkout and represents about 100,000 employees across 140 state departments and agencies. The workers include cooks, custodians, nurses and office staff, while employees considered essential are exempt. The union is seeking a 20 percent pay raise over three years, lower healthcare costs and changes to telework policies. Strike sites include the May Lee State Office Complex in Sacramento, where workers are also expected to rally in downtown Sacramento. The dispute centers on contract terms involving compensation, healthcare access and flexibility for remote work. SEIU last authorized a strike in 2016, but did not carry out a statewide walkout.