June 30, 2026
📹 Hear Updates Directly from Our Chief Negotiator
Today, just hours before our Contract expires, the State finally responded to our fair pay proposals. Waiting until the final hours to respond to proposals we submitted weeks ago is no way to bargain in good faith. And their proposals don’t even come close to what state workers deserve.
The State rejected our proposal for a 20% General Salary Increase (GSI) over three years: 7% in 2026, 7% in 2027, and 6% in 2028. Instead, they’re asking state workers to accept no raise this year and only the 3% increase in 2027 that they already committed to last year. They also rejected every remaining economic proposal we put on the table, including improvements to healthcare, special salary adjustments and pay differentials. And they’re proposing to shorten this agreement to just two years instead of three.
“This isn’t bargaining, it’s stalling,” said Chief Negotiator Bobby Roy. “Our team came to the table prepared. Every proposal we brought forward was backed by research, hard work, and a genuine effort to move negotiations forward. We knew we weren’t going to get everything we asked for, but we expected real conversations and meaningful progress. Instead, the State rejected our economic proposals and came back with nothing. Not a meaningful counterproposal. Not a compromise. Just a no. That’s not negotiation—that’s disrespect.”
The State also rejected our proposals to expand telework protections and our proposal to reduce and ultimately eliminate mandatory overtime in state-run healthcare facilities. Once again, they chose not to address issues workers have been raising for years.
This comes at a time when the State itself has acknowledged California’s finances are stable. The money is there, but instead of investing in the workforce that delivers California’s essential services every day, the State is choosing not to prioritize state workers.
Today, June 30, our Contract expires—but our fight does not. If the State refuses to bargain a fair Contract, we are prepared to hold the line until they do. Our current Contract protections remain in effect while negotiations continue, and our bargaining team will not accept an agreement that fails to address the needs of state workers. That’s why tomorrow’s rally is so important. The strength we show together gives our bargaining team the leverage they need to keep fighting for the fair Contract we deserve.