Thousands of California state workers launched a sweeping one-day strike on Wednesday, rallying outside government buildings in several cities as contract negotiations with Governor Gavin Newsom's administration finally boiled over. The union, SEIU Local 1000, represents roughly 100,000 public employees - nurses and teachers among them - and has been pushing for higher wages, flexible telework, and healthcare that doesn't require a second mortgage.

The impasse has been simmering since the contract expired on 30 June. Union negotiators say the state rejected their key proposals: a 20% salary increase over three years, higher state healthcare contributions, and flexible telework. On that last point, Newsom has required state workers to be in office four days a week - a policy that pairs beautifully with the administration's other apparent position that there is no money for anything.

"We are going on strike because we know the Newsom administration can and must do better," union president Anica Walls 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." Groceries, childcare, rent - the radical agenda continues.

The union also filed a complaint with California's public employment relations board alleging bad faith bargaining, claiming the state waited until 30 June to respond to some proposals and declared there was "no money" for additional compensation. The state has declined to comment publicly on the negotiations, citing confidentiality - a time-honored tradition in which one side talks and the other side cites confidentiality.

Wednesday's picketing marked a first for the union. CalHR, the state's department of human resources, had reportedly tried to block the strike by arguing the union hadn't planned exemptions for essential workers, thereby compromising public health and safety. The labor board ultimately determined a list of about 5,000 workers deemed essential, according to the union, who reported to work during the strike.

"The department remains focused on achieving a fair and responsible agreement and continues to be available at the bargaining table," a CalHR spokesperson said Wednesday. Whether "available at the bargaining table" includes responding to proposals before the contract expires remains, apparently, a confidential matter.