On June 17, 2025, members of the CAPS, UAW Local 1115 Bargaining Committee met with the Public Employee-Employer Relations Board (PERB) and CalHR during an informal settlement conference to discuss the Unfair Labor Practice Charge (UPC) filed on March 11 regarding the Governor’s Executive Order 22-25 4-day Return to Office order. PERB subsequently reviewed the UPC and found sufficient reason to issue a complaint against the State, whose response can be found here.
This meeting was an opportunity for both parties to resolve the issues in the UPC before proceeding to official hearing. PERB settlement discussions are confidential, though CAPS-UAW can share our positions. The items we presented included rescinding the 4-day RTO policy, delaying implementation and providing additional stipends to offset costs caused by the RTO mandate, maximum flexibility around in-office days, and additional exemptions. We reiterated our requests for Departments’ plans, space allocation, and costs associated with implementation of the Governor’s 4-day RTO mandate.
Your Bargaining Committee scheduled a second mediation session with PERB and CalHR on July 2 to continue the discussion, after the budget is finalized. By this time, we will know if increases to state workers salaries will be funded or not. If not, there is a chance we may need to reenter negotiations with the state. While it is premature to reopen our contract at this time, we need to be prepared.
Your voice is important. Complete the Budget Sunshine Survey to make your priorities known to your Bargaining Committee. The information you provide will help guide the Bargaining Committee during potential negotiations.
Why ask for your input on potential “sunshine” demands? Governor Newsom’s May Revised Budget proposed to cut state worker compensation and eliminate nearly 300 vacant State Scientist positions across 21 departments. The Legislature, after hearing from you and your colleagues, passed SB 101, the 2025-2026 California budget act on Sunday June 15. The budget act included funding for state scientists’ salary increases and preserved the 300 vacant positions proposed for elimination. This is a major win, but the fight is not over. The Legislature and the Governor are currently negotiating the final budget act, which needs to be in place by July 1. If salary increases are not fully funded, CAPS-UAW would return to the bargaining table after sunshining our demands.
The UPC filing is one tool we can use to fight back against Governor Newsom’s RTO mandate. However, the most important and impactful way to make a difference is to use our collective strength and stand in solidarity with our union siblings and take action together.