State workers approve contracts that demanded concessions, but provided relief

2025 has been an interesting bargaining year for the state’s workforce.

In January, leaders from seven unions sat down with the state’s lead negotiator, CalHR, to draft new labor contracts. Labor leaders said at the time that they hoped to net salary increases beyond the typical 2% to 3% adjustments based on California’s improved financial position.

By May, Gov. Gavin Newsom had called all 21 of the state’s bargaining units back to the bargaining table — after California’s fiscal outlook soured — to draft agreements that include 3% raises but also imposed leave programs that offset those pay increases in exchange for more vacation time.

The majority of bargaining teams agreed to similar versions of the same deal, which didn’t provide major economic benefits unions hoped to secure but did result in a one-year delay to the governor’s unpopular return-to-office order.

State workers are approving the deals their bargaining teams landed on.

Professional Engineers in California Government members overwhelmingly approved their tentative agreement Monday, with 96% of ballots cast in favor. Of the union’s rank-and-file membership, over 62% voted.

“A state budget in multi-billion-dollar deficit makes for a tough bargaining environment,” Ted Toppin, PECG’s executive director, said in a statement. “But the PECG Bargaining Team delivered on what they understood to be most important to members — a halt to the return-to-office order and two pay raises as soon as it is possible.”

Members with the California Attorneys Administrative Law Judges and Hearing Officers in State Employment also approved their tentative agreement early this week. Of the 57% of members who cast a ballot, 76% voted in favor of ratification.

In a statement announcing the results, the state attorneys unions said work “remains to ensure the state addresses the recruitment and retention challenges that make the state a less competitive employer.”

Here’s where things stand with several other bargaining units:

▪ The California Correctional Peace Officers Association said that the ratification vote tally would be complete Wednesday.

▪ The Union of American Physicians and Dentists said its bargaining team reached a tentative agreement with the state. July 18 is the deadline for members to vote on the proposal.

▪ The California Association of Psychiatric Technicians said it was still in active negotiations with the state.

In addition to ratification from membership, the tentative agreements also need the Legislature’s approval.