There’s a difference. CAPS, CASE, and PEGC have informed their members they can honor the picket line which is an individual’s right to honor their conscience and not cross a picket line. A sympathy strike is different and it is where the union actively organizes to strike in solidarity. One is individualized while the other is union driven.

Non-SEIU members supporting the strike on Wednesday by withhold their labor need to use the term honor the picket line as that gives us the most legal protection. So please stop saying we are sympathy striking, we are actually being encouraged to honor the picket line. It’s a nuance but it legally matters.

Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1729

Part I: (State Assembly)
State Assemblymembers have elections every 2 years (so next Election is this coming Nov 2026). Here's the full list that voted No:

*Carl DeMaio, CA State Assembly District 75 (East San Diego County)

*Diane Dixon, CA State Assembly District 72 (Seal Beach-Laguna Beach-Lake Forest). Important: Diane Dixon is running for Orange County Supervisor District 5 this Nov 2026. So if you live within both Districts, make sure you vote in both contests for the more pro-worker friendly candidate.

*James Gallagher, CA State Assembly District 3 (Yurba City-Red Bluff). Important: James Gallagher is running for newly redistricted CA Congressional District 1 this Nov 2026. So if you live within both Districts, make sure you vote in both contests for the more pro-worker friendly candidate.

*Alexander Macedo, CA State Assembly District 33 (Kings County, parts of Fresno County, & parts of Tulare County).

*Cottie Petrie-Norris, CA State Assembly District 73 (Irvine, Tustin, & Costa Mesa)

*Blanca Rubio, CA State Assembly District 48 (West Covina-Azusa)

*Kate Sanchez, CA State Assembly District 71 (Mission Viejo-Temecula)

Part II: (State Senate)
Here are all the State Senators that voted No. All of them (except for 1) have Elections this year in 2026.

*Marie Alvarado-Gil, CA State Senate District 4 (Modesto-Lake Tahoe & Placerville-Mono County). Important: Maria Alvarado-Gill already lost her Primary Election in June 2026. So if you live in District 4, make sure you vote in Nov 2026 election for the more pro-worker friendly candidate.

*Catherine Blakespear, CA State Senate District 38 (Mission Viejo-North San Diego). Next Election: Nov 2026

*Anna Caballero, CA State Senate District 14 (Fresno-Merced). Already lost her June 2026 Primary Election for State Treasurer. So if you live in District 14, make sure you vote in Nov 2026 election for the more pro-worker friendly candidate.

*Steven Choi, CA State Senate District 37 (North Fullerton-Irvine). Next Election: March 2028

*Kelly Seyarto, CA State Senate District 32 (Yorba Linda-Temecula- East San Diego County). Next Election: Nov 2026

*Tony Strickland, CA State Senate District 36 (Cerritos-Huntington Beach-San Clemente). Next Election: Nov 2026

If you still need to register to vote or find out how/where to vote in your County, visit: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/

Happy voting! 🙂

While everyone is mad at Newsom, and he is no friend of State employees, there are others in the administration who are definitely behind the RTO push. One such person is Eleni Kounalakis. Current lieutenant governor and candidate for treasurer. Her family of real estate owners and developers benefits hugely from us returning to office. They are causing State workers huge pain for there financial gain. Will she benefit us if she becomes the treasurer? Probably not. In addition to the strike., other tool State workers have is our, and our family, vote. Unless we show them we are not happy via our vote against them, they couldn't care less for us

The union is recommending picket signs stay on a unified message. This is not an economic strike or a strike about RTO, this is a strike about unfair labor practices.

OUR CORE MESSAGES

UNFAIR PRACTICE STRIKE

The purpose of our Unfair Practice Strike is to demonstrate that state workers are united in demanding that the State return to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith toward a fair Contract.

FAIR CONTRACT NOW

Our contract expired on June 30. The Newsom administration waited until the last minute to reject our proposals in bulk. Now, SEIU Local 1000 members have been without a contract for over three months. Enough is enough!

RESPECT STATE WORKERS

SEIU Local 1000 represents over 100,000 state workers across California. We are nurses, educators, IT professionals, analysts, printers, custodians and so much more. Our members work across every state department and we’re asking for a contract that respects the work we do to keep California running.

Alright - a few coworkers and I are getting together this evening to make our signs. Would love to hear some taglines and ideas to put on these posters! We are ready and we are coming for you NEWSOM.

The goal is to embarrass you and drag you for the trash that you are. You aren’t for the people. You aren’t for Californians. And you definitely don’t respect YOUR WORKERS.

Give us some ideas! We are PUMPED!

I’m not a member yet of SEIU because I literally just started this job and I’m really young and unsure if I can afford dues at this moment, but I still want to strike to support. Can non member strike? What happens if we get marked AWOL? Can I lose my job?

I was wondering if anybody knows if I registered for a strike and cannot attend the strike do I need to let anybody know? The confirmation doesn't allow a way to unregister. I do not plan to cross the pick line however my daughter is very ill in the hospital unexpectedly and will not be able to attend the strike. Im not sure if I'm required to let the union know if I can't attend.

Where my LA people at? I will be there, will you?

I heard that CASE members might support SEIU on Wednesday. I have asked my CAPS coworkers and none of them seem to know if they will be doing the same. Has anyone heard if CAPS plans to participate?

Kind of a weird location Cal OSHA? It looks like a lot of home around there, you would think they would do it downtown for more publicity. Anyways where are you supposed to park around there for the strike? If anyone knows. Thanks

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

So my husband applied for the apprentice position at DWR and he was selected for an interview in mid September, he was informed that he would get notified if he got the position or not in October. Just curious, has anyone in the same boat got notified by DWR yet?

I heard that CA State jobs are publicly posted for all qualified candidates to apply for even when there are internal candidates employed in the same agency who could fill the position via internal transfer. If that is the case, is it possible that external candidates are being interviewed despite a "favorite" internal candidate being already identified for the role? Or is every candidate evaluated on merit including those with no previous State experience?

Hi all i just interviewed for a Sup 1 recently and yesterday i got a call saying they wanna offer me the job. I really want the job but after looking at rent prices it's like around 2.4-2.6ish for 1b 1br. Is this doable on Sup1 salary? What's take home after, around 4.7k?

Thanks and see you all on Weds.

Where's my Fresno people at!? I'll be there. Will you?

I had the hiring manager call me because my current manager didn't respond to the call or email that he sent. I then got my manager to email the reference form back and it sounds like the hiring manager also asked similar questions that was on the form orally on the phone. I asked the hiring manager if I should inform my other references to keep an eye out for an email or phone call but they told me they like to talk to the most current manager and work their way down.

Initial reference call/email was 10/15 for my current manager and I'm waiting to see if they contact my previous manager and my one academic reference. Any reason they just don't just try to get all three references all at once? Seems like it wouldn't be too bad to just send all the emails out at once but I'm assuming it's because it seems like they want the email reference form and also to speak to the reference on the phone as well?

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)

—
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.

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.

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

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/