State employees rallied at the California State Capitol on Wednesday as negotiations over new labor contracts remained at an impasse. SEIU Local 1000, which represents thousands of state workers, said the state rejected its latest contract proposal just hours before the current agreements expired Tuesday. Union leaders say they will not accept a contract that fails to address workers’ economic needs and workplace concerns. Among the proposals rejected by the state were a 20 percent pay raise spread over three years and several other compensation-related requests. The negotiations come as many state employees are also adjusting to a return-to-office mandate. Governor Gavin Newsom recently ordered most state workers to report to the office four days each week. The union says the state also declined its proposal to expand remote work opportunities for eligible employees. California’s Department of Human Resources, or CalHR, has declined to comment while negotiations remain ongoing between both sides.
