Posts tagged California

    Newsom administration, SEIU Local 1000 failed to reach new contract, union says

    July 1, 2026 // SEIU Local 1000, which covers nine bargaining units and represents nearly 100,000 workers, is the only union negotiating a new contract with the state this year. In the absence of a deal between SEIU Local 1000 and the state, the union’s existing contract conditions remain in effect.

    Big labor torching World Cup tourism with sky-high hotel prices and looming layoffs

    June 30, 2026 // HTC’s president may get the credit for negotiating this latest contract, but his nearly $1 million compensation package is largely insulated from these economic setbacks. Meanwhile, the workers whose dues pay his salary will bear the long-term consequences of the deal. World Cup visitors may be the first to feel the pain of higher room rates, but hotel workers could end up being hit the hardest by seeing their shifts reduced, or worse, having their jobs disappear.

    As Newsom’s return-to-office mandate is just one week away, state workers and unions continue pushback

    June 29, 2026 // Governor's order requiring most employees in the office four days a week takes effect July 1 amid concerns over costs, staffing and workplace readiness

    California: First ILWU strike against sugar giant in decades

    June 29, 2026 // A walkout by workers with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union over pay and benefits marked the first strike in decades against a major California sugar producer. The ILWU strike at C&H Sugar in Crockett led by Warehouse Local 6 reportedly is over healthcare, retiree benefits, sick leave, overtime rules, and union protections as part of a new three-year contract.

    A $20 minimum wage sounded like a win—until these 5 consequences kicked in

    June 26, 2026 // California’s $20 minimum wage sounded like a win—until these five ripple effects hit workers, prices, and jobs. Here’s what leaders need to know to design business models that actually work. A recent University of California Santa Cruz study quantified a pattern every leader should recognize before issuing a mandate: When you impose rapid cost change on a complex system, you get unintended consequences.

    Maintenance workers at 6 Prime hospitals in Illinois plan strike

    June 25, 2026 // The strike notice includes 53 employees at six hospitals that Prime purchased from St. Louis-based Ascension in March 2025: Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago, Saint Elizabeth Hospital in Chicago, Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago, Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines, Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston and Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin, the release said.

    California state workers union warns of mass exodus with Newsom’s return to office order

    June 22, 2026 // From an economic perspective, the return-to-office mandate could benefit local businesses, according to Robert Heidt, president of the Sacramento Metro Chamber. “There is a lot of value in bringing people back to the office. The ebb and flow. The next generation of workforce. There is a value in experiencing by observation. Even me as the CEO, if I wasn't here every day, there are things I wouldn't notice or pick up or see in the office,” Heidt said. “I can't imagine that we can sustain an acceptable level of business and commerce with everyone remote. It just doesn't make sense,” he added.

    Union Behind California Billionaire’s Tax Offers to Drop It in Favor of Smaller Tax

    June 21, 2026 // Newsom batted down the offer via a spokeswoman, who said the governor “has been clear that he is strongly opposed to a California-only wealth tax.” “This poorly designed state-only measure will defund teachers, schools, clinics, and public safety,” Newsom’s spokeswoman said. “Changing the tax rate doesn’t change this measure’s fundamental flaws that harm working Californians.”

    Ex-union official charged with theft from firefighters’ fund

    June 18, 2026 // According to Bonta, investigators found that, between December 2022 and January 2024, Walker “stole” more than $82,000. “This individual opened a foundation bank account, naming himself as the sole signer, and then used that account to transfer foundation funds into his personal accounts,” said Bonta. “We found that he attempted to conceal those transfers by creating false reimbursement records and forged receipts specifically designed to mislead auditors.”

    CALIFORNIA Why is Carl’s Jr. closing? Franchisee to sell nearly 50 SoCal locations

    June 17, 2026 // In early filings, Dharod blamed the struggles his stores faced on Carl's Jr. for a lack of support and innovation, and on the state of California for the increase in the minimum wage to $20 for fast-food workers, the LA Times reported.