Unit 20
Medical & Social Services Specialists
Who We are
The purpose of Bargaining Unit 20 is to represent the LVNs, CNAs, Teaching Assistants, Dental Assistants, Pharmacy Technicians, Laboratory Technologists, Physical Therapists, Counselors, and many other medical and social service classifications working in prisons, veteran’s homes, developmental centers, state hospitals, special schools, and other departments for the State of California so they operate under a fair and legal contract, and are part of a strong member led union.
By educating, organizing and mobilizing members of Bargaining Unit 20 in the workplace, the political arena and within the union itself, we strive to improve the living standard and rights of members, their families and other working people. Through these efforts we will accomplish economic and social justice for ourselves and others.
📧 For general questions regarding Unit 20, e-mail [email protected]
Unit 20 Bargaining Unit Negotiating Committee (BUNC)
Assignment Despite Objection
GeoPay Task Force Presents and Releases Report
Mandatory Overtime (MOT) Information
Our contract is the agreement between SEIU Local 1000 and the State that outlines our pay, our benefits, and our rights! Our bargaining team is gearing up to negotiate a new contract and what we win depends on how strong and united we are.
Here are the priorities our Bargaining Unit 20 team is bringing to the table:
Strengthen the Post and Bid Process for Medical Assistants (MAs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs)
This includes pursuing continuous bidding and securing clearer contract language — including specific language covering MAs — to ensure fairness, transparency, and consistent opportunities for all members.
Prioritizing Improvements to Vacation and Time-Off Scheduling
We are pushing for clear, enforceable contract language that allows members to use their accrued leave, strengthens and standardizes the request process, and establishes fair and consistent ad hoc approval guidelines so members can actually access the time off they have earned.
Improving the CalATERS process
We must ensure members have a fair and accessible pathway to reimbursement.
We are seeking clearer standards and stronger contract language that expands eligibility and better support members in receiving reimbursement for qualifying expenses.
Unit 20 Bargaining Updates
CRC Closure: New Agreement Provides Protections and Support for Affected Employees
Our Union team has successfully negotiated an agreement designed to provide additional support and protections for represented employees who may be impacted by the closure of the California Rehabilitation Center (CRC). As employees navigate the...
Master Table Update: July 30, 2026
July 30, 2026Many members have asked what happens now that our Contract expired 30 days ago. The answer is simple: bargaining continues. Our bargaining team is still at the table, but the State is refusing to bargain fairly. That's why last week...
Master Table Update: July 23, 2026
July 23, 2026Another week of bargaining has come and gone. While we've reached a few additional tentative agreements that improve working conditions, the State still refuses to move on the issues that matter most to state workers. Today marks 23...
SEIU Local 1000 Files Unfair Practice Charge – July 22, 2026
SEIU Local 1000 filed an Unfair Practice Charge on Wednesday, July 22 alleging the State failed to bargain fairly over wages, benefits and working conditions for the state workers who keep California running Our Bargaining Team brought forward...
Master Table Update: July 16, 2026
July 16, 2026Over the past two weeks, our bargaining team has continued meeting with the State at both the Master and Unit bargaining tables. While we've reached a few additional tentative agreements that improve working conditions, the State still...
Master Table Update: July 9, 2026
July 9, 2026📹 Hear Updates Directly from Our Chief NegotiatorOur bargaining team is still at the table and our priorities haven't changed. We're continuing to fight for priorities that members identified: from fair pay, affordable healthcare and...
Master Table Update: June 30, 2026
June 30, 2026📹 Hear Updates Directly from Our Chief NegotiatorToday, 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...
Master Table Update: June 25, 2026
June 25, 2026 With our current contract set to expire on June 30, our bargaining team continues fighting for the priorities that matter most to state workers: fair pay, affordable healthcare and telework policies that work for both workers and...
Master Table Update: June 18, 2026
June 18, 2026 Contract negotiations are heating up. Let's keep the pressure on the State to deliver. We are fighting for Fair Pay, Affordable Healthcare, Secure Retirement and Telework that Works. At the center of that fight is our proposal for a...
Master Table Update: June 11, 2026
June 11, 2026 The fight for our next contract continues. As Master Table bargaining moves forward, our message to the State remains clear: state workers deserve Fair Pay, Affordable Healthcare, Secure Retirement, and Telework that Works. The State...
Master Table Update: June 4, 2026
June 4, 2026 The fight for our next contract is underway. What happens at Master Table bargaining will impact the nearly 100,000 state workers across California represented by SEIU Local 1000. Here's what you need to know: for months, we've heard...
Bargaining Update: May 28 Report
We want to provide the latest update from ongoing bargaining discussions and share where negotiations currently stand. Your BU 20 bargaining team met with the State across two recent bargaining sessions. Below is a summary of key updates from the...
Unit 20 Bargaining Update as of May 21
Your bargaining team met with the State across two recent bargaining sessions to continue negotiations on contract improvements, workplace protections, and outstanding proposals affecting BU 20 state workers. Below is a summary of key updates from...
Unit 20 Bargaining Update: May 14
After additional bargaining sessions, Bargaining Unit 20 (BU 20) bargaining team has continued presenting proposals while also receiving Tentative Agreements (TAs) from the State that preserve existing contract protections and rights for members. ...
Unit 20 Bargaining Report as of May 7
After kicking off bargaining for our unit-specific table on April 22, members across the state remain engaged and active as Bargaining Unit 20 (BU 20) moves through bargaining with the State. BU 20, which represents medical and social services...
Sunshine Meeting with CalHR: January 14, 2026
January 14, 2026 Your bargaining team just completed our sunshine meeting with CalHR – our first step on the road to our next contract! In this meeting, we made it clear to CalHR that our goal is to negotiate a fair and equitable contract shaped by...
Update on CalHR Additional Appointment Policy on SHS Overtime Pay Calculations
On March 4, 2026, SEIU Local 1000 met with CalHR and CDCR management to get answers regarding how overtime pay is now being calculated for impacted Self-Help Sponsor (SHS) members. During the meeting, questions were raised about the differences...
MOT Bargaining Update – Jan 22
On January 16, 2026, SEIU Local 1000 met with the State in our ongoing effort to address the important issue of Mandatory Overtime for nurses in state service. The State once again refused to provide our team with a counterproposal. The...