CAPS State Scientists "Defiance for Science" Strike, November 15-17, 2023
CAPS was the first State Employee Union to go on strike in California’s history. Thousands of State Scientists throughout the State withheld their labors for three days to show the world, and our Governor, that it is far past time to properly #ValueScientists. Below, find some videos from our Strike, or visit the CAPScontract2023.org webpage to learn more. You can also view photos and videos taken by members at the event here.
CAPS State Scientists Rally at California Democratic Party Fall Naming Convention - November 18, 2023!
CAPS kept the momentum from our strike going by showing up en masse and hosting the Union Solidarity Rally at the CDP Fall Naming Convention outside the SAFE CU Convention Center on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
You can also view photos and videos taken by members at the event here.
Sacramento Value Scientists! March and Rally
On August 30, 2023, as the final rally scheduled in a series of events, State Scientists marched from the CalHR building in Sacramento, past the swing space where Legislators’ offices currently are, to the West Steps of the State Capitol to call upon the Administration to propose terms of a successor contract with the State that will VALUE State Scientists!
Oakland Value Scientists! Rally
On August 23, 2023, as part of a three-city event, State Scientists rallied at Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland.
Los Angeles Value Scientists! Rally
On August 16, 2023, State Scientists, joined in solidarity by colleagues from UTLA and SEIU rallied in front of the Ronald Reagan Building in Downtown LA to call for Governor Newsom to VALUE SCIENTISTS!
July 26 Teach in and Statewide Lunchtime Rallies
On July 26, 2023, from 12PM-1PM, hundreds of State Scientists across California participated in a CAPS-led Teach in, then took to the streets to hold informational rallies outside their worksites!
Great work participating and showing solidarity at your worksites.
Support CAPS’ May 9, 2023 Proposal
On May 9, 2023, the CAPS Bargaining Team presented no fewer than seven proposals that would provide the necessary adjustments in the successor Memorandum of Understanding with the State of California.
The CAPS Bargaining Team anticipated hearing from the State in June and asked CAPS Members to participate. The State had offered other Bargaining Units compensation proposals. Should the State elect to provide a similar proposal to the CAPS Team, we are prepared to respond. But to ensure the best impact of our response, WE NEEDED YOU!
Over 950 messages were sent to the Governor, CalHR and Department of Finance, encouraging the State to consider CAPS’ May 9 Proposals.
Write to your Assemblymember to Vote for AB 1677 (State Scientist Salaries – Impartial Study)
In late May, AB 1677, which would require the UC Berkeley Labor Center to perform an impartial study to examine the existing State Scientist salary structure, evaluate historical salary relationships with other state employees performing substantially similar work, and provide recommendations for alternate salary models for rank-and-file State Scientists, was heard.
Uncompetitive state scientist salaries are threatening California’s vital public health, environmental, food safety, and other critical programs because state agencies cannot keep or recruit skilled scientific professionals. AB1677 will help the State and all decision
makers better understand and address this problem.
We needed YOU to advocate to your Assemblymember, as their constituent, to vote FOR AB1677 (McKinnor) when it was on the floor. Members did so by filling out the form on our ACTION CENTER using their personal information (email and address).
Great work to all the Unit 10 Scientists and State Scientist supporters who have taken action to call upon their Legislators to support AB 1677! See the live map of participation below. Keep it up!
Stand Up For Scientists Rally
Thank you for making the Scientists Rally a success. Please see some images of the event in the slideshow below:
And a special thank you to our speakers:
- President Margarita Gordus – CAPS
- Corey Ridings – Ocean Conservancy
- Dr. Daniel Gluesenkamp – California Institute of Biodiversity
- Mia Roberts – CAPS Director At-Large
- Dr. Rachel Fabian – CAPS Member
- Esther Tracy – CAPS Member and Local Rep
- Dr. Maureen Lee-Dutra – CAPS Member and Local Rep
- Dr. Everardo Mendes – CAPS Member
- Emily McDonald – Rancher
- Jacqueline Tkac – CAPS District Il Director
- Justin D. Garcia – CAPS Secretary
- Quinn Cataldi – Grant Union High School Teacher
- Jessy Fierro – CAPS Member and Local Rep
- Dave Jones – Candidate for CA State Senate, District 8
All CAPS Members in good standing are eligible for Strike Pay.
No, California law does not permit striking employees to collect unemployment insurance benefits.
In the event that a member receives more than $600 from CAPS during a calendar year, CAPS will issue an IRS form 1099-MISC.
You will not be eligible for any Strike Pay.
Strike Captains are responsible for maintaining sign-in sheets. Check-in with a Strike Captain at the beginning of your strike shift. Members who attend pickets or provide strike support duties but do not sign in with a Strike Captain may not be eligible for strike pay.
CAPS members must have participated in Job Actions to receive Strike Pay.
The Member Benefits Committee (and approved volunteers) will review applications and make a determination whether the CAPS member/applicant will receive Strike Pay. The Member Benefits Committee and volunteers are not eligible for Strike Pay.
Strike funds will be distributed via check within 90 days of a job action.
A CAPS member would be active on state payroll if they were not out on approved disability leave (NDI, ENDI).
Petition Delivery
The CAPS Member Action Committee hosted a Petition Delivery Event on Friday, May 6, 2022. The event consisted of members present marching to the offices of four agency secretaries (Jared Blumenfeld – CalEPA, Wade Crowfoot – CNRA, Mark Ghaly – CHHS, and Karen Ross – CDFA) and Governor Newsom to deliver larger-than-life petitions, signed by hundreds of CAPS members and the public, in support of equitable pay for State Scientists. The Committee thanks all those who attended and hopes even more will attend additional events in the future in support of our Bargaining Team’s efforts.
