Essential Workers for the October 21 Strike

Check Essential Staffing Requirements for Your Worksite

PERB has determined that less than 5000 state workers are essential employees who must continue working during our October 21 Unfair Practice Strike.

Use the links below to see by department, worksite, classification, and shift  how many employees are required to work to maintain essential services during the strike.

Only the specified number of employees in the listed departments, worksites, classifications, and shifts are required to work. All other employees, including those at departments and worksites not listed – 95,000 strong – have the legal right to strike.

Being in a listed classification does not automatically mean you are required to work. The essential staffing requirements apply only to the number of employees designated for each worksite and shift. Affected employees names will be available soon. Check back for more details.

Who is Required to Work During the Strike?

CalVet — California Department of Veterans Affairs View Essential Employees
CCHCS — California Correctional Health Care Services View Essential Employees
CDCR— California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation View Essential Employees
CDCR-DAPO — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Adult Parole Operations View Essential Employees
CDE — California Department of Education (CSBF, CSDF and CSDR) View Essential Employees
DDS — California Department of Developmental Services View Essential Employees
DSH — California Department of State Hospitals View Essential Employees
Caltrans — California Department of Transportation View Essential Employees
Important: Overnight Shifts and the October 21 Strike
Whether you are an essential or non-essential employee, if your shift begins on October 20 and continues into October 21, you must complete your regularly scheduled shift before joining the strike. However, only essential workers will stay at work for the rest of strike day.
For example, if your shift begins at 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, and ends at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 21:
Essential employees must continue to follow their assigned essential staffing schedules and line-pass instructions.
 Essential Worker Instructions
  • You must report to work. If your scheduled shift overlaps October 21, you must report to work or remain on duty as scheduled. This includes overnight shifts within the 24-hour period, from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Normal operations resume at midnight on October 22. See Important instructions below.
  • Follow regular worksite procedures. Report to your worksite as usual unless instructed otherwise. Healthcare employees must follow applicable licensing requirements, including ensuring a safe transfer of patient-care responsibilities.
  • You may be released if staffing needs are met. PERB has directed the State to release essential employees when their services are no longer needed due to sufficient replacement staffing or lack of work. If minimum staffing needs for reduced operations are otherwise met, you may request to be released to participate in the strike. Any remaining scheduled hours not worked will be unpaid. Employees who wish to continue working may do so if authorized by management.
  • Contact the Union with questions. If your shift or assignment changes, you believe your line pass is incorrect, or you are required to work beyond your designated assignment, contact SEIU Local 1000.

Thank you for doing your part to make our strike successful! By fulfilling your essential-staffing assignment, you help protect public health and safety while your coworkers stand together on the strike line. You are an important part of our collective strength.