Bargaining Team Works to Build Member Power for 2023 Contract Negotiations

Article Published on July 22, 2022

With contract negotiations less than a year away, building a stronger membership was the focus for the July 16-17 virtual meeting of the Statewide Bargaining Advisory Council (SBAC)

More than 100 member- elected bargaining representatives from up and down California—including the 60-plus members who negotiate our contract with the State—meet regularly to develop strategies for bargaining and to understand and respond to issues that affect our lives at work and at home.

Membership is key to winning a good contract, and when we go to the bargaining table it’s important to have a membership roster that’s as large as possible. The higher are membership percentage, the stronger the message we send to state negotiators that we’re “all in” for a good contract that values our contribution to California.

SBAC members heard presentations from Board Chair Bill Hall, Vice President for Bargaining, Irene Green, and from union members in other areas who achieved great contracts by building member support.

On Sunday, the teams who negotiate for the 10 bargaining units Local 1000 represents met in individual breakouts to continue developing strategies for negotiations in 2023.