I am sad and disappointed. I have never worked for a government or successful private sector company that is so systemically hostile. There is an outright campaign to push state workers out by effectively lowering pay beyond our ability to survive, denying disabled persons the ability to work, and micro-managing us in ways that are prison like. It is all backwards thinking and absurd. Please get involved. Join the union, make phone calls, write letters, be loud. We are professionals serving communities and we deserve better.

They turned 2 large sections of free parking on S and O into paid parking. Can’t tell me RTO isn’t a cash grab

It is not totally out of our hands.

I personally don’t believe Newsom would choose to sign it or ignore it (letting it become law automatically). But if there’s still a slim slim chance that he would do so, it must be out of pressure, not out of conscience. We are really nothing to him. He is looking way ahead into the future.

So while he is busy with his weekly podcasts and a million other things that pave his way to his bright future, is there any chance we can make him rethink all this? Maybe.
What I know is that we can’t do this as individuals, but as a collective bargaining power, maybe we can.

Make noise, spread awareness that WE WILL PRESS FORWARD with the strike. Not just on social media, but also in your offices, and even the governor’s office (by calls, emails, etc). Will he sense it? Yes he will, when it’s loud.

If he still outright refuses to give it a second thought, then really, no more holding back on the thought of a strike for us.

This should actually be our presumption. He’s not going to sign it, so fire up now.

In fact, a lot of us are already not holding back. In the end, it’s not just about RTO. It’s about pay, healthcare costs, and really showing our attitude: stop thinking you can take advantage of us by stripping our long deserved raise, and further humiliate us with all that meaningless pay cuts.

And if anyone is worried about money when the strike happens - Remember, it is always a good idea to save up now. But there’s also one thing to know: the state pays employees on a "negative" basis, meaning they assume everyone worked their normal schedule before timesheets are actually processed. The more people who strike, the longer it takes the SCO to process all the dock hours. One example I know of is someone who joined the CAPS strike in 2023 didn’t receive notice from their HR until two years later. Accounts receivable were set up with the option of repaying in a lump sum or in installments (any other CAPS members who can share their experience on this?)

(fun fact: CAPS has 5000 employees, SEIU has 100,000)

I am now fully prepared for a strike vote. I hope you all feel the same.

——

SEIU Ask the Officers Call:
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
6:30 - 7:30pm

Join the call to hear directly from union leadership on the latest updates.

Submit your questions in advance to [asktheofficers@seiu1000.org](mailto:asktheofficers@seiu1000.org), or ask them live during the call.

Register here: https://seiu1000-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IEFbCXzTSxKBg31bYcOUOg?emci=77a81b03-5aa5-f111-9b33-0022482a9a8d&emdi=19e7c9fb-35a6-f111-9b33-0022482a9a8d&ceid=83085877#/registration

Newsom's Extra Traffic stickers are now stashed at CalEPA.

Please hand them out.

If you don't know where this is, DM me. You must have access or know someone at CalEPA.

P.S. I can mail them to you as well, DM me

P.P.S. Nice meeting people today in the park and the SEIU solidarity meeting. Hang in there!

I’m not doing fine. No one seems to know what’s happening, and no one can provide any real help or answers. We’re basically being forced to accept these major changes while the union continues to leave us in the dark. The uncertainty, long commute, and added expenses are taking a serious toll on my mental health and daily life.

Honestly, it’s starting to feel like SEIU is taking their time with this process because they don’t want to make the Governor look bad.
How come a strike vote hasn’t been sent out yet? Are they waiting because they think our chances of getting a better deal are somehow stronger with a new Governor? If that’s the strategy, it really makes me question what the union would be doing if this wasn’t the Governor’s last term. Would we still be waiting around and playing the same game?
I understand that the union has to follow the rules and go through the process. But at some point, what the heck are we waiting for? These decisions are affecting our actual lives. We’re dealing with longer commutes, higher gas and parking costs, less flexibility, and major changes to our working conditions.
At minimum, let the members vote.

How do people deal with significant burnout and bad pay? I am exhausted, all that keeps me going currently is the assurance that I have a job and will not get fired. I know of people who are dealing with the current job market. That’s all that motivates me for oh so long until I remember I get a bad salary and too much work. I am looking to move as well.

Just got told my 50 mile exemption was no longer approved even after previously being approved. Had the exemption for about 1 month and just got canceled for no reason. Contacted union and they said there’s nothing they can do… anybody else in the same boat?? Currently takes me about 2 hours to get to the office…

I’m so tired of being a pawn in the governor and lieutenant governor’s real estate flex. My morale is at an all-time low. We deserve to be a priority and not be placed on the back burner.

I’m genuinely excited about AB 1729 and really hoping it becomes law. 🙌🏼 But unless I’m misunderstanding the bill, I’m also trying not to get too carried away thinking this automatically means 4-day RTO goes away.

What I’m hoping is that this becomes part of the conversation/negotiations afterward. Like, will CalHR actually require departments to reevaluate their telework needs and submit their results or justification for requiring 4 days in office?

Because at this point, a lot of departments have already done the work to implement it. New telework agreements, schedule changes, rearranging offices/workspaces, etc. I can totally see some departments not wanting to undo all that work unless they’re actually required to go back and reevaluate whether 4 days even makes sense for them.

I’m absolutely rooting for AB 1729. 🎉 I just hope the next conversation is basically:
“Okay, now show us why YOUR department actually needs people in the office 4 days a week.”

And if I’m misunderstanding what happens when/if this becomes law, PLEASE correct me because I would genuinely love to be wrong about this part. 🤞🏼

Daily parking was full before 7:30am with multiple cars being turned away. This is the lot on 1214 17th Street. Ridiculous!!

the legislation is over. hopefully the strike process won’t take that long.

Hello fellow state workers,

I’m wondering if anyone else has been looking at the changes for open enrollment this coming year? For the past couple of years I had United Healthcare (UHC) as my medical plan and honestly, it was a good ride. Copays and deductibles were not bad and it was the cheapest option for me to have decent insurance for myself and my daughter. Thank God I actually looked into the changes because now UHC plan is no longer available with CalPERS next year and if I don’t make another choice, they’ll automatically change me to Blue Shield Access Plus… Not to mention i’m already limited to the other plans “available” because I don’t reside in the counties or areas with eligible coverage. I’m really only left with three other options and any that I pick is a guaranteed +$200 that will be taken out of pocket. It truthfully sucks to see how much is already taken out of my check and how much more i’ll be losing out without many options left for me. If anyone has suggestions for the following plans (since that’s what’s available for me to switch to), i’d be happy to hear them: Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO or Pers Gold. I’ve had Kaiser before and it was OK, but open to hearing about the other two plans before making a choice. Thank you all

Figured I’d share that the benefits calculator has been updated with the 2027 information so you can see what your out of pocket expenses will be.

Hi!

I know a bunch of people on here have been given the run around on Reasonable Accommodations due to not having “visible” disabilities (specifically autoimmune)… Does anyone have any experience or knowledge with a class action lawsuit? I’ve read the CalHR guidance as well as the ADAAA and it’s pretty clear that they are discriminating against people who need a telework accommodation to continue working. I want to do something, not just lay down and take it.

Thoughts?

If I were to transfer to a different board or bureau and I passed probation sometime back, would I still receive the same pay from the previous board I came from? I had a couple raises since being hired on and was wondering if they would stay in place. I never did a lateral, only gone through promotions during my tenure with the state..

I applied for a Motor Vehicle Representative (MVR) position, and about a month later, my references were contacted by the Department of Motor Vehicles without me ever having an interview. When I reached out to the hiring unit and left a few voicemails to check on my status, I received no response. Typically, doesn't the department inform applicants before calling their references? On top of that, I was interviewed for a couple of other state positions recently, placed in the top two candidates, and had my references contacted last month as well. In total, my references have been called three separate times, but I still haven't received a single job offer. Unfortunately, I only have three references, and I am already getting the sense that a couple of them feel annoyed and disturbed by all these calls. I am scared about losing their support and unsure of what to do next.

Does anybody know about the parking prices/availability at CalPers?

Also is anybody familiar with their Admin department as I’m looking to apply for a position there.

I just got a call from an agency letting me know they’d like to bring me back for a second interview. I’ve honestly never had a second interview before, so I’m both excited and a little nervous.

For those of you who have been through this before, what should I expect? Is a second interview usually more technical, more personality-based, or just a deeper conversation than the first?

Any tips on how to prepare, common mistakes to avoid, or things you wish you knew beforehand would be greatly appreciated. I’d love to make the best impression possible.
Thanks in advance!

I honestly just need to vent for a second. I just got an email that the DGS Connect Card program for transit is ending, and now I’ll have to front my transit costs myself and submit expense requests through CalATERS and then wait for reimbursement rather than just loading the subsidy onto my transit card.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING RIGHT AS WE’RE ALL COMMUTING MORE TO THE OFFICE?!?!?? The excellent and easy-to-use transit benefit has been my saving grace and a little tidbit helping me stay sane, and it’s changing at the worst possible time. WHYYYY?!?

Thank you for letting me vent so that I don’t just up and rage quit. I am sure there are reasons for this transit card decision, and maybe somebody here can make me feel more understanding or optimistic about it, but it sure is a bad time for this. God grant me the patience to stay in state service until I get vested in that pension.

So when are we going to get some updates from SEIU?

i just got called for an interview for tax program technician 1(tpt) for ftb, i just realized that it's different from just a regular tax technician so i haven't even taken the exam for mqs yet. idk if i even qualify because my resume is only a few retail jobs and being assistant manager at a food place. i basically have my associates in accounting, i just need an english class(71 units). should i come clean or just go with it