CA State Scientists Walk Out In Historic Strike

SACRAMENTO, CA — The California Association of Professional Scientists on Wednesday became the first state union in California history to go on strike.

The union’s last contract expired July 1, 2020, and, following a Nov. 8 meeting with a mediator, its members made plans to strike ahead of the next mediation session on Nov. 28. The union represents roughly 5,600 state-employed scientists in over 30 departments.

Chief among members' concerns is what the union says is an at least 30 percent pay disparity in comparison with the salaries of members' supervisors, managers, and counterparts in similar state, local and federal positions.

“We’re tired of this administration’s delay tactics and woefully inadequate offers at the bargaining table,” union President Jacqueline Tkac said in a news release.

“We’re tired of the governor talking up California’s scientific approach to environmental policies while he fails to adequately compensate the scientists who inform and enforce those policies. But we’re energized like never before to exercise collective power to get a contract that values our members and their crucial work.”

The state filed an unfair practice claim against the union and its move to strike amid mediation rather than abide by the existing contract, but that action was pending with the Public Employment Relations Board as of Tuesday.

“The state views the strike activity with disappointment,” said Camille Travis, deputy director of communications for the California Department of Human Resources, in an email.

“The state continues to bargain in good faith, including the PERB-ordered mediation process, and will continue to work with CAPS to achieve a fair successor agreement as we have with other bargaining units.”

Nevertheless, the strike went forward Wednesday, with about 1,000 people surrounding the California Environmental Protection Agency building in Sacramento, according to The Sacramento Bee.

The demonstrations will continue through the rest of the week, culminating Friday, when all state scientists are expected to walk off the job.