In 2025, state workers were tested. We faced budget pressure, attacks on collective bargaining, and decisions that threatened the stability of our workplaces. But we also showed something powerful: fighting for what we deserve is how we build power.
Our contract is the agreement between the State of California and SEIU Local 1000 that determines our pay, benefits, and workplace rights. In short, it shapes how we are treated on the job and the future we build as public workers. What we win doesn’t just affect the next year; it sets the direction for years to come.
That’s why this moment matters. The actions members took last year protected critical gains and sent a clear message to the state: state workers are organized, engaged, and ready to fight for fairness and respect. Those wins didn’t happen by chance, they happened because members showed up, spoke out, and stood shoulder to shoulder.
Winning the strongest contract possible will take every one of us stepping up. Members have until the end of January to complete the bargaining survey—your chance to tell us what matters most to you so we know exactly what to fight for at the bargaining table. Organizing Townhalls across the state will bring coworkers together to build unity, share strategies, and prepare for the fight ahead. Members can also step into leadership roles in their workplaces, helping keep coworkers informed and engaged. And by sharing our stories, we uplift the real experiences of state workers and show why our contract matters—not just to us, but to the millions of Californians who rely on our work.
This contract will define more than wages or benefits. It will shape our working lives, our families’ futures, and the services we provide for years ahead. United, informed, and ready to fight, we are building the strength we need to win—and we are just getting started.
Get the latest updates and ways to get involved at seiu1000.org/2026contract.