California state workers begin 1-day strike over return-to-office mandate, pay and healthcare

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California state workers began a one-day strike Wednesday, urging Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration to agree to a new contract that increases workers' pay, ensures affordable healthcare access and allows more flexibility for remote work.SEIU Local 1000, the largest union for California government workers which represents more than 100,000 employees, including auditors, nurses and counselors, will picket in cities across the state for the first time since the union's founding in 2004. Members overwhelmingly voted to authorize the strike earlier this month, accusing the state of failing to bargain in good faith after their contract expired in June.“We are going on strike because we know the Newsom administration can and must do better,” Anica Walls, the union's president, said in a statement. “They must return to the table and bargain in good faith toward a contract that allows state workers to afford groceries, childcare, rent and other necessities.”The strike