Dear Teachers, Students, Exhibitors, and Attendees:

It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the cancellation of State Scientist Day 2024. The California Association of Professional Scientists – United Auto Workers (CAPS-UAW) has made this difficult decision as a direct result of our decades-long struggle to find a willing and sensible partner in the State of California. CAPS-UAW is focused on our fight to ensure that State Scientists are paid equitably to our peers within and outside of California State Government.

We will always encourage California’s students to consider an education and career in science. However, as a union, it is irresponsible for us to continue to proclaim the wonders of being a State Scientist and to aid in the recruitment of young students to our profession. The unfortunate reality is, this career comes with significant economic hardships brought on by the State of California. Compared with other State workers who do the same work, the State Administration’s refusal to pay us fairly and equitably has led to pay disparities of 33% – 50%. These disparities continue to grow each year. We have State Scientists who cannot support themselves or their families at the current compensation levels offered by the State of California, which is shameful. Because of this, and being out of contract for nearly five years, we must focus our time and resources on this fight now. The State Administration must right these continued wrongs so that future State Scientists won’t face the same inequality and equity struggles we have faced for decades.

Our actions must support our principles. Last November, we participated in a historic strike – a first for California state civil service workers. We continue to show the State Administration that it is time for them to address our concerns and prioritize State Scientists. We cannot hold an event that provides the State of California avenue to recruit future State Scientists and promote scientific leadership while continuing to undervalue and undercompensate us for the critical work we do.

We hope that by this time next year, we will be working under a new contract that properly values the vital contributions we make to benefit the people and environment of California. We deeply apologize for the inconvenience this causes our amazing Sacramento-area educators, who are not only teaching and inspiring generations of California students and future scientists, but who are also fighting their own battles for fair compensation. We also sincerely regret the disappointment for students. We ask all of you who are affected by this cancellation to stand with us in solidarity and join our fight for a fair contract by visiting our contract website (https://capscontract2023.org/stand-with-scientists/) and taking any of the actions listed there. Our livelihoods and the livelihoods of the next generation of State Scientists are on the line.

If you would like to meet and discuss this, or anyway we can support you in the future, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Executive Committee at their contact information listed below.

Thank you for your continued support.

In Solidarity,

CAPS-UAW Executive and Public Relations Committees