SEIU 1000 Ready to “Terminate” California’s Governor

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     California’s largest union of state employees is readying for battle against California’s governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

     SEIU 1000 (Service Employees International Union), is the largest union in California comprised entirely of 95,000 state employees.  These union members are scattered throughout various departments such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, State Department of Finance, California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, and the California Highway Patrol among others.

     SEIU officials negotiated a new contract in good faith which Governor Schwarzenegger happily signed.  This contract stated that all state employees must take 1 day of furlough each month because of the current budget crisis.  SEIU officials weren’t pleased with this move, but signed the contract with full understanding from the governor’s office that no further concessions would have to be made on the part of union members.

     Unfortunately, Governor Schwarzenegger was quickly eager to change the rules.  SEIU was suddenly informed that the Governor had mandated not only a 2nd furlough day but a THIRD per month equating to a 15% pay cut for all state employees.  SEIU made their voice heard, but according to SEIU officials, those complaints fell on deaf ears in Sacramento.

     As of July 21, 2009 the “Governator” announced there could be a 4th and even FIFTH furlough day which would equate to a staggering 25% pay cut for ALL state employees.  SEIU quickly announced a new slogan at this point saying “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!”. 

     SEIU 1000 President Yvonne Walker has stated that these additional furlough days are outside the scope of not only the contract signed by the Governor and his staff, but is also outside the authority of his office.  Ballots are being sent out to the 95,000 SEIU members asking them to authorize “job action up to and including a strike if that becomes necessary”.

     A strike at the state level would certainly send a very crystal and powerful message to the Governor’s office… “We won’t take your abuse of power any longer”. 

     When asked how he felt regarding the added furlough days and further loss of pay, foreclosures and repossessions state employees were having to endure, the Governor was quoted as saying the following:

     “Well, I’ll just sit in my hot tub and think about it over a stogie”.