u/Commercial_Fault_772

If the State refuses to negotiate in good faith, the union needs to take a much stronger stance. Simply filing unfair labor practice charges and lawsuits is not enough.

Legal challenges can take months or even years. By the time any meaningful ruling is issued, Governor Newsom could already be out of office, which is only just four months from now. Delaying the process benefits the State while employees continue working under unacceptable conditions and with no raises.

The union should make it clear that a strike is on the table, even if every legal avenue has not yet been exhausted. The credible threat of collective action is often what brings employers back to the bargaining table. If the State continues making far-fetched proposals and refuses to negotiate seriously, it shouldn't be rewarded for stalling.

Good-faith bargaining requires both sides to make genuine efforts to reach an agreement. If one side is simply running out the clock, the union must respond with urgency and show that there are real consequences for bad-faith negotiations. Our members deserve leadership that is willing to stand firm and fight for a fair contract—not just wait while the process drags on.

Why are we expected to follow every procedural step before even considering a strike?

If Governor Newsom can refuse to negotiate in good faith since May and intentionally delay bargaining while knowing the July 1 RTO mandate was approaching, the only consequence is that we file a lawsuit or an unfair labor practice complaint. There are no immediate consequences for the State.

So why doesn't the union take the same approach? Why not tell CalHR and Newsom that a strike is on the table, even if every procedural requirement hasn't been completed? If they believe it's unlawful, they can sue the union or file complaints against us—just as we're expected to do when the State ignores its obligations.

Why is it that employees are expected to strictly follow every rule and procedure, while the State can delay, stall, and ignore its legal obligations with little immediate accountability? It feels like there is one set of rules for workers and another for the employer.

Today is our chance to show that employees are united. Every person who shows up sends a message that our voices matter and that we care about protecting telework, fair working conditions, and respect for state workers. Join us today from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the California State Capitol West Steps (1315 10th St., Sacramento). Real change happens when people stand together, not when they stay home hoping someone else will do it. If you support these goals, stand shoulder to shoulder with your coworkers and help make our voices impossible to ignore. Together, we are stronger. SEE YOU THERE!!!

If I don't see at least 1,000 people tomorrow, then nothing will change. At that point, I blame the members—not the union. We also need to take responsibility for our lack of action.

Throughout history, nothing has been freely given to ordinary people without collective action. Freedom, voting rights, fair wages, and better working conditions all came because people stood together and demanded change.

I encourage everyone to show up and bring your friends, family members, and coworkers. I hope to see well over 1,000 people on July 1, because only then will our voices be impossible to ignore.

If you work in Downtown Sacramento and can't take 30 minutes during your lunch break to stand with your fellow workers, then I don't want to hear complaints later. Real change requires participation, not just frustration.

I'm driving all the way from Stockton to attend this rally because I'm willing to do my part. I hope you'll do yours too!

Before we talk about a strike, everyone and their mama should show up on July 1. If we can't get at least 1,000 people standing together demanding respect for our telework rights and fair raises, then a strike won't have much impact.

Just imagine what happens if 1,000 state workers show up. Every major news outlet will cover it, and it will be a terrible look for Newsom. When our unions go back to the negotiating table, they'll have the backing of thousands of workers, not just emails, Reddit posts, and billboards.

At that point, we start steering the conversation: negotiate seriously now, or this is only the beginning. The July 1 protest should be just a drop in the bucket, not the end of our efforts.

Nothing hurts a politician more than bad publicity, especially during the final months of an administration. Seeing thousands of state employees publicly united sends a message that can't be ignored. If we show up in force—not just online—we have a much better chance of making our voices heard.

To all the State workers who took the time to testify in support of the AB 1729 bill, THANK YOU! Your voices, dedication, and willingness to stand up for your fellow employees made a real difference. We appreciate your commitment to advocating for better working conditions, fair treatment, and the future of the State workforce. Again, Thank youuuu!!!!!

Does anyone have any insight on what PECG is doing regarding RTO? From the outside, it feels like the union has largely given up on fighting it.

I'm also concerned that there doesn't seem to be any effort to renegotiate our compensation. We received only a 3% raise last year, nothing this year, and only 2% next year, despite the state now having billions available in the budget. If PECG isn't fighting RTO or compensation, what exactly was gained from the last contract? Was it simply delaying RTO for a period of time?

At this point, this feels like a do-or-die moment not just for RTO, but for the union's credibility and long-term relevance. If the union doesn't use every available tool to advocate for its members before full RTO is implemented, many employees will start questioning the value of union representation altogether.

I'm a strong union supporter and have been a member since I started with the State six years ago. However, if the union can't effectively push back and negotiate on major issues like RTO, then I have to question what real power it has.

I understand the union helps with grievances and disputes, but a union should also be fighting for working conditions, telework flexibility, and fair compensation. Otherwise, it starts to feel more like an insurance policy than a powerful bargaining organization.

I'm not saying the union isn't doing anything, but what leverage do we actually have if a major policy like RTO can be implemented with little resistance and no clear justification? If there were ever an issue worth considering a strike over, this would be it, because once we're back in the office, it's unlikely we'll regain those telework days.

On top of that, going years with little or no meaningful raises is not something to celebrate. We received no general salary increase this year, inflation has eaten away at our purchasing power, and next year many employees may only see a 3% raise. Employees are being asked to give up flexibility while falling further behind financially.

As a union member, I'm simply trying to understand what the union's strength is if changes this significant can move forward without a major challenge.