The strike, led by the California Association of Professional Scientists, began in Sacramento and will extend to Los Angeles, Oakland, and other cities. The strike is a protest against the lack of progress in contract negotiations, with the union representing approximately 5,200 members across more than 50 state departments. Their areas of expertise include air pollution, toxic waste control, earthquake hazards, and agricultural pests.
Scientists employed by the state of California have embarked on a rolling three-day strike, marking the first-ever walkout by a state civil service union. Members of the California Association of Professional Scientists (CAPS) commenced their strike in Sacramento, with plans to expand the protest to Los Angeles, Oakland, and other cities on Thursday and Friday.
CAPS represents approximately 5,200 members working across more than 50 state departments, addressing a wide array of critical issues such as air pollution, toxic waste control, earthquake hazards, and agricultural pests, as outlined on its website.
Despite efforts in bargaining and mediation, CAPS members have been without a contract since 2020. Earlier this year, the membership rejected a tentative agreement, leading to the strike action. Another mediation session with the state is scheduled for November 28.
This strike marks a significant moment in California’s labor history, as state workers have not engaged in a strike since civil servants gained collective bargaining rights in 1977, as reported by The Sacramento Bee.
Jacqueline Tkac, the president of CAPS, expressed the sentiment among striking scientists: “Nobody wants to be on strike, and nobody wants to be the first. But it feels really inspiring to know that we have people that are so fired up about our situation that they’re willing to go out on strike for the first time and take that risk.”
The California Department of Human Resources had previously filed a complaint of unfair labor practices against the union in an attempt to prevent the strike.
In response to the strike, the department stated that it was disappointed by the action and reiterated its commitment to bargaining in good faith. Department spokesperson Camille Travis said in an email that the state “will continue to work with CAPS to achieve a fair successor agreement, as we have with other bargaining units.”
The primary concern for the striking scientists is higher wages. CAPS argues that state scientists are paid 40% to 60% less than individuals in “comparable positions who have the same level of responsibility and do similar or identical work.”