As part of our “Don’t Let CalHR Silence Us” campaign, we want to update you on one of the most urgent examples of CalHR’s interference happening right now: Mandatory Overtime (MOT).
For weeks, we’ve been calling out how CalHR is restricting union rights. They are limiting representational meetings, blocking access to worksites, and refusing to allow full bargaining teams to use state release time. This pattern of interference is now showing up directly at the MOT table for Bargaining Units 17 and 20.
SEIU Local 1000 met with the state on Monday, November 17, 2025, to bargain Mandatory Overtime (MOT). Section 19.38 of our contract allows us to reopen five other contract sections for Bargaining Units 17 and 20. The State of California passed a law that banned mandatory overtime in all other healthcare facilities but exempted themselves. If nurses refuse to work mandated overtime, they are issued disciplinary action. Mandatory overtime negatively affects the state’s ability to recruit and retain nurses, leading to staffing shortages and morale issues.
Our bargaining team presented a robust ten-page MOT proposal on Monday, and the state requested the remainder of the day to review it. We met again on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, and within the first ten minutes of the MOT table starting, the state rejected the entirety of our union’s proposal. The state made clear they aren’t interested in reducing the number of monthly mandates and will not consider implementing any of the other MOT recommendations at this time.
Today, the state reached out to our bargaining team in the morning and requested to meet with us in the afternoon. During the lunch hour, the state reached out to us again and said they needed the remainder of the day, but didn’t commit to presenting our team with a counterproposal tomorrow. The bargaining team for Units 17 and 20 is requesting your help in this fight! We need everyone to step up and not let CalHR silence us. Some helpful things you can all do to show your support are the following:
- Purple up at your worksites daily
- Solidarity breaks
- Call CalHR to let them know to respect our nurses’ rights and STOP MOT!
How to Take Action Today!
Tell CalHR to bargain in good faith over Mandatory Overtime (MOT). Phone: 916-909-3758
(When calling, press 7 for Labor Relations to leave a message.)
Phone Call Script for Members Calling CalHR
” Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m calling to urge CalHR to bargain in good faith with our union on Mandatory Overtime. MOT not only affects our ability to provide quality care but also negatively impacts employee retention rates and workplace health and safety.
I’m asking CalHR to return to the bargaining table in good faith. Thank you.”
For questions and concerns, please email Bargaining Unit 17 at [email protected] or Bargaining Unit 20 at [email protected]
In solidarity,
Unit 17 and 20 Bargaining teams