Refreshed from a meaningful Memorial Day holiday, Bargaining Unit 21, the unit representing our Educational Consultants, Child Development Consultants, Librarians, Archivists, and Specialists, met with the State on the morning of Wednesday, May 27, to resume unit-specific bargaining negotiations for our 2026 Contract.
In our session with the State, the Bargaining Unit 21 Negotiating Committee received counterproposals to four existing Contract sections:
- 10.7.21 Protective Clothing
- 12.8.21 Overtime Meals – Work Week Group 2
- 15.4.21 Employee Opportunity Transfer
- 19.19.21(a) Guidelines for Applying Work Week Group E Policy
Additionally, we received one counterproposal to our demand for a Joint Labor-Management Committee (JLMC) to update and modernize the Archivist Classification Series.
While the State’s counterproposed language changes to the Protective Clothing section showed some willingness to work collaboratively, as well as the expressed intention to communicate with departments about the existence of the Employee Opportunity Transfer program and section, this sentiment was overshadowed by the rejection of: (a) increases to overtime meal allowances; and (b) a JLMC to update 60-year-old classification specifications; and worst of all, the proposed deletion of Section 19.19.21(a).
“We called it what it is: asinine. Then we rejected their proposed deletion and counterproposed rollover of the existing language. This is disrespectful, pure and simple. This section is foundational, at the heart of Unit 21,” said Bobby Roy, Unit 21 Chair. “The State wants to weaken our professional status and to diminish our autonomy.”
“This is among three sections that matter most to us,” continued Roy. They are: 19.19.21, 19.19.21(a), and 21.16.21. “This cannot stand, and we need to engage as a Unit and push back to protect our rights and our ability to provide quality services to California’s residents.”
Here’s where the fight goes next: Unit 21-represented professionals are encouraged to attend a bargaining update (Zoom call) where you’ll learn more about the State’s dangerous proposal and plans to maintain our professional status as stipulated in the contract.
Friday, May 29, 2026, 12 – 1:00 p.m.: https://seiu1000-org.zoom.us/j/85967191730
Our Unit 21 Bargaining team, led by Chair Bobby Roy, Vice Chair Danielle Fiore, Alternate Vice Chair Melissa Tyler, Joycelyn Ward-Richardson, and Monica Grimes, will continue fighting for what we deserve while pressing the State to recognize the professionalism of our classifications through fair compensation, workplace protections, and the respect our employees deserve.
For the next two weeks, Unit 21 will be negotiating alongside other SEIU Local 1000 represented bargaining team members at the Main Table. Unit 21 has a tentative date to return to the unit table on Monday, June 15. We’ll share updates on negotiations regularly, so be sure to watch your inbox every Thursday morning around 9 a.m. for the latest bargaining news and opportunities to stay involved throughout this fight.
Join SEIU Local 1000 today and help strengthen our collective power at the table.