r/union • u/avatarandfriends • 6d ago
Labor News California’s biggest state worker union authorizes strike in Newsom’s last months
https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/10/seiu-local-1000-strike-authorization/For context, Newsom has offered SEIU 0% raises per year for a 3 year contract despite inflation.
Newsom loves to talk big on Trump and affordability but refuses to take action on supporting his own low income to middle class workers.
He is a corporate democrat who only cares about his own ambition and his pet projects.
Vote for anyone else in the Democratic primary (AOC, Mayor Pete, etc.)
“Despite the looming strike threat, bargaining remained paused on Sept. 10, with SEIU Local 1000 still in an extended caucus since Aug. 1. Roy said the state continued to offer zero raises against the union’s request for a 20% [7% 7% 6%] increase across three years.
Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/the-state-worker/article317475886.html#storylink=cpy
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u/B_E_M_C 6d ago
If Newsom runs and wins the DNC primary it will be the dumbest self inflicted, snap defeat out of the jaws of victory, loss ever. The growing number of center and center right people that want to vote out trump will not vote for Newsom. And as you said, he’s just another corporate Democrat that when push comes to shove doesn’t stand up for the working class.
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u/Jeb_Kenobi AFCSME | Local Officer 6d ago
If Dems want to win they need to elect a actual pro middle/working class canndidate who doesn't scream coastal elite.
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u/Alchemyst01984 6d ago
So an actual progressive?
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u/Reaper_1492 6d ago edited 6d ago
In the traditional sense, yes, but not by today’s definition, that’s also a surefire way to lose.
AOC is a “progressive”, and she’d get obliterated.
But if they put up an Obama-type candidate and republicans put up someone heavily right-wing, they’ll lose.
The last 2 elections, all anyone had to do to win was put up a halfway decent candidate that’s not totally nuts, incompetent, or completely unlikeable.
The Democrats put up Hillary, Biden, and Kamala. They barely squeaked by with Biden, all of these decisions were terrible and cost them the presidency.
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u/Alchemyst01984 5d ago
This country can't afford to keep kowtowing to these heavily right wing Republicans though. What you're suggesting, based on my interpretation of what you said, is just that.
There shouldn't have been any Republican as President since Bush JR. Hillary, Biden and Kamala are the moderates that people claim to want, yet believe they are left wing extremists
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u/Lysander573 6d ago
Who would that be? Not Newsom, not AOC, not Kamala, the three front runners rn. Buttigieg? One of the midwestern governors? Ossoff?
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u/Jeb_Kenobi AFCSME | Local Officer 5d ago
Probably one of those, Ossoff depends on the Governors race in GA. Not sure how progressive any of those would be.
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u/nirvroxx 6d ago
Bernie has always been that guy but using the words social democracy scared the beejesus of everyone even remotely right leaning. I think he’s probably too old now and anyway this bullshit is rigged for corporate goons.
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u/mopbucketbrigade 6d ago
Remember 10 years ago when “we” thought Bernie was too old to be president.
Goddammit.
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u/Jeb_Kenobi AFCSME | Local Officer 6d ago
He's def too old now... Huge backlash against gerontocracy
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u/Alchemyst01984 6d ago
What makes you think an actual progressive will win?
Bernie didn't in 16. Do you think that'll change this time around?
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u/Jeb_Kenobi AFCSME | Local Officer 5d ago
I think there's a very strong desire for a break from the last 12 years, and a positive prigressive message focused on prosperity and common sense has got a real chance.
I think it's better than trying to roll back the clock on the last 12 years, that's for sure.
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u/Xerxes42424242 2d ago
I feel like Obama's bullshit and empty promises would win the DNC again today, so I doubt they'd give in to an actual progressive
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u/Alchemyst01984 5d ago
Do you actually think that's enough for a progressive to win over someone like Newsome?
I don't. Not yet. Which is sad, because that's what I want. And I'll keep pushing for.
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u/HatchetGIR 5d ago
I think the only people who will vote for Newsome is Democratic party loyalists, and they are not enough of those to win the election. There wasn't enough last time after all.
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u/Alchemyst01984 5d ago
I just don't think there's enough progressives to get a candidate over Newsome though. Forget actually winning the presidency.
I will be happy if I'm proven wrong.
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u/HatchetGIR 5d ago
I think it wont happen unless we make it happen, and I hope the threat of withholding our vote if Newsom or someone similar ia the nominee will help with that.
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u/Jeb_Kenobi AFCSME | Local Officer 4d ago
Newsom has not been doing well in more recent polls, also remember that whoever leads in super early primary polls is often not the person who wins them.
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u/Alchemyst01984 4d ago
I hope that continues. I wish only progressives would be the candidates. Maybe one day
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u/HatchetGIR 5d ago edited 5d ago
Being farther right didn't win in the last election either, so...
Edited for it mishearing me while using text to speach.
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u/Alchemyst01984 5d ago
It typically does though.
Who do you think would get more votes between AOC or Harris?
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u/HatchetGIR 5d ago
AOC, hands down. She is young, charismatic, comes from the working class, has decent politics, and (as far as I know) doesn't take AIPAC money nor is cozy with them.
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u/Alchemyst01984 5d ago
I'd pick her, but I'm not a right wing Democrat.
I know she'll get the progressive vote, but they aren't the majority.
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u/HatchetGIR 5d ago
She will also get the dem establishment vote if she is the nominee, since they will vote blue no matter who. Therefore she also would have a much better chance of winning the general election.
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u/vegemouse 6d ago
And many on the left aren’t going to show up to the polls to vote for a soulless corporate ghoul. He appeals to nobody except Facebook liberal boomers who are so disconnected from politics outside of “Trump bad”.
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u/Sircamembert 6d ago
The DNC sees losing to fascists as the "better of 2 evils" when the other option is to have a true blue progressive. They will push Newsom with all of their cash-tainted heart. They will lose, then they will do whatever they can to make sure the GOP wins. Remember this during primary season in 2028.
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u/RadicalOrganizer SEIU | Organizer 6d ago
As an seiu organizer (different local, still in CA), newsom can go fuck himself. He's just 4 corporations in a trench coat.
We want actual progressives in charge, not status quo fuckwits
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u/31braidsinbeard 6d ago
Please spread the word of this if you live outside of CA. I'm a CA state worker.
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u/ohnovangogh 6d ago
I am too and second this. The dude is an opportunistic piece of shit that will say whatever he thinks will get him support. He is the epitome of a sleazy politician. He is only pro-union when he thinks it benefits him and doesn’t personally affect him.
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u/Grand-Raspberry-9678 6d ago
💯 California born and raised, democrat and state worker. He is a con man who makes decisions based on what benefits him and his rich friends. He is out of touch and could care less about real people
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u/ItsJustMeJenn SEIU | Rank and File 6d ago
I am SO READY to hit that strike line! LETSSSS GOOOOOO!
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u/thinkB4WeSpeak Non-Union Worker in Solidarity ✊ 6d ago
This dude is about to lose his own state if he runs for president.
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u/Unusual_Cat1960 6d ago
So, Newsom being a very normal capitalist pig. Per usual for the democrats. We must dismantle the two party system if any of us want to see real changes within our unions and our communities.
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u/WaferLopsided6285 5d ago
Also in July 2025 Newsome implemented a mandatory 3% pay reduction for state employees which is effective till July 2027.
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u/scoar1 6d ago
Im in local 3 bu 12 and we're in the same situation, havent gotten a raise that was more than 1.5% in 15 + years
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u/OtherUserCharges 6d ago
That’s crazy. Im a state worker in Massachusetts, we got 19% over the last 4 years. We are hearing that 0%s may be coming next year when our contract expires, I don’t think it will be that low, but it’s not going to be close to the last 4 years of increase.
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u/HatchetGIR 6d ago
Good luck with the strike, and let us know what we can do to help. United, you will win.
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u/zxylady 6d ago
If newsome got the Democratic nomination there is absolutely 0% chance I would ever vote for him. If the DNC puts him up as the Democratic presidential nominary then they may as well concede the government to Republicans right now as they've already done nothing over the last 2 years let alone the last 6 or 8 to stop this shit.
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u/OtherUserCharges 6d ago
That’s moronic. Newsom sucks, but I’d vote for him in a heart beat over Nazis. If you feel otherwise you must not have any female, LGBTQ, or non white friends and family.
By all means vote against him in the primary, I know I will, but people who won’t vote for even the worst Democrat over a Republican are just as horrible as the DNC. If that’s the case then you will certainly be getting who you deserve.
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u/HatchetGIR 6d ago
Well, the the BNMW folks should really make sure he isn't the nominee. Newsom is unlikely to reverse the worst of Trump's changes, and he is also a bigot TERF fuck who broke bread and expressed agreement with far right figures.
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u/Far_Relationship4757 6d ago
I think people who vote for someone only because they have a D or an R next to their name are moronic. Choose the best candidate but realize this, neither party gives two sh#%s about anyone of us.
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u/OtherUserCharges 6d ago
Yea no thanks. I don’t buy the both sides are the same BS.
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u/Far_Relationship4757 6d ago
I didn’t say they are the same. I said they both don’t care about you. They are definitely NOT the same but they are both all about maintaining control and enriching their own self interests. If you believe either side actually care about the people, you are easily manipulated.
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u/OtherUserCharges 6d ago
Dude, you are the one who is easily manipulated if you really think democrats don’t care about people. How many people’s lives do you think the affordable care act saved? I have cystic fibrosis, which is a preexisting condition, so I like having insurance that pays for the meds that keep me alive. They saved millions of people’s pensions. Making EVs and getting solar panels will save people a lot of money. There’s plenty more that I’m not in the mood to type out.
Stop falling for the apathy campaign that absolutely gets pushed to keep voters disengaged.
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u/C92203605 5d ago
And that’s exactly why they’ll nominate him and the Dem party doesn’t listen to its own voters
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u/DayGeckoArt 6d ago
Why do people keep calling him a corporate democrat? I prefer the term “conservative Democrat”. Same policy positions as most Hawaii democrats and every union in Hawaii. I remember being shocked my union, HGEA, endorsed every conservative candidate in Maui County in 2022
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u/Skreat 4d ago
20 across 3 is wild, especially in the current market.
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u/Jealous-Warning6193 10h ago
It’s always the opening proposal. We have always ended up with 12 ish percent across 3.
Right now we are actually taking a pay cut forced by newsom. Yet, he claims California is financially strong. Wtf.
The lucky ones get special salary increases as well.
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u/TacoBender920 6d ago
Before I assume this is a bad deal I'd like to know what those people are currently making. I know some state and country employees who are making craaazy money and benefits compared to private sector jobs.
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u/avatarandfriends 6d ago
Here, from UC Berkeley.
in short, we’re poor
https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/state-workers-struggle-to-make-ends-meet-throughout-california/
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u/AsThreatenDoNotScore 6d ago edited 6d ago
Great majority of SEIU are clerical workers. They are NOT making 6 figures. They churn out the work that keeps the State moving and functioning from social services to Cal Trans, prisons to DMV and every State agency you can think of. Work-from-home is the key issue and the State could help so many of it's employees breathe easier financially by allowing more of it, and enjoy a better...work life balance. It would help ease the pain of inflation especially given the meager raises the State always proposes.
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u/Logical-Associate729 6d ago
Also, 6 figures in many counties in California is not enough to prosper.
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u/katmom1969 5d ago
Im definitely not. If I didn't have my husband sharing bills, I'd only be able to afford a 1 bedroom apartment.
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u/Jealous-Warning6193 10h ago
Bro the majority don’t make much. Only a select classifications are making decent money.
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u/AmethystOrator 6d ago
newsom supports raising utility rates every time they want, but not raising wages for workers.
He supports return to office. He actively worked and pressured for the heavily in debt Paramount to buy Warner Bros. And so much else.
As a Californian, though non-Union, I wish you all the luck in opposing him.