Bargaining Unit 21, the unit representing our Educational Consultants, Child Development Consultants, Librarians, Archivists, and Specialists, met with the State on Monday, May 18, and again on Wednesday, May 20, to continue unit-specific bargaining negotiations for our 2026 Contract.
In our session on Monday, Unit 21 proposed language changes to our classification studies. These proposals reflect our demand that classification studies be conducted and renewed on a consistent basis, rather than left outdated or shelved for years at a time. Moreover, these proposals aim to ensure that these classifications keep up with the modern workforce and are not allowed to stagnate while the work continues to evolve. Our team’s goal is to create a system that holds the State accountable for regularly maintaining accurate, modern classifications that reflect the realities of state service.
In addition to this, we also proposed language changes to section 10.7.21 Protective Clothing. Our team urges the State to consider maintaining state-owned protective clothing rather than expecting employees to upkeep it themselves. As Alternate Vice Chair Melissa Tyler emphasized, “Archivists need to wear protective clothing like smocks, gloves, and masks at work because sometimes the historical records, books, and artifacts they work with may be dusty and may contain mold, evidence of rodents and insects, and even lead or arsenic. The State should provide and properly maintain protective clothing for Archivists!” These proposals underscore a broader point: maintaining professional standards requires the State to provide the basic tools and protections necessary to do our jobs safely and effectively.
During Wednesday’s session, we received counterproposals to our economic proposals. We tentatively agreed (TA) to “roll over,” or preserve current language covering twelve contract sections, maintaining our hard-fought rights won in previous negotiations. Most significant to our members were sections 19.19.21 and 21.16.21. However, we are disappointed to report that 19.19.21(a) was not included. These sections are critical in protecting our FLSA-exempt status and maintaining the professional standards of our classifications. Without the State’s cooperation, Unit 21 members are left vulnerable to the gradual undermining of the very professionalism the State relies on us to uphold.
Additionally, the State was unyielding on multiple fronts. The State rejected our pay differentials, wage equity adjustments, educational leave expansions, and arduous pay improvements.
“Even on the toughest day so far, our resolve has not wavered. We still have our fight, we still have our power, and we are in this to win it,” Vice Chair Danielle Fiore affirmed.
Throughout negotiations, the State has remained noncommittal, operating under the assumption that business will continue as usual. What became abundantly clear is that our contract language is at risk. These are decisions that shape whether our protections are preserved or slowly chipped away. If you do not stand up now, you will lose the very standards and safeguards that Bargaining Unit 21 has fought for since it was established in 1990. Our power comes from you, our members and represented employees in the worksites and out in the field, and is shared with us at the negotiating table. We are interdependent. State workers must continue making our voices heard and ensuring our rights and protections are not weakened at the table.
“In all labor negotiations, employers generally prefer to maintain the status quo,” said Chair Bobby Roy. “As long as the work continues getting done, they have little incentive to raise wages or improve working conditions. That’s why it falls on workers to demonstrate that the status quo is no longer sustainable and that real change is necessary.”
They added, “It’s not going to be business as usual if we don’t get higher wages and better working conditions.”
This week, our observers were Daniela Torres, Cristina French, and Sara Jensen from the California Department of Education, along with Lalu “Drew” Saeteune from the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Our Unit 21 Bargaining team, led by Chair Bobby Roy, Vice Chair Danielle Fiore, Alternate Vice Chair Melissa Tyler, Joycelyn Ward-Richardson, and Monica Grimes, remains committed to protecting the professional standards of our classifications while continuing to fight for fair compensation, workplace protections, and the respect our members deserve.
Bargaining Unit 21 will be observing Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, but plans to return to the table Wednesday morning, May 27, with Main Table negotiations happening that afternoon. We will begin negotiating common language in our 2026 Contract. This moment matters and we need you to continue the work we are doing at the table by organizing at your worksites and showing up for solidarity actions. Stay engaged, stay informed, and let’s keep fighting for what we deserve.
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