Thousands of scientists who work for California began a rolling three-day strike Wednesday — the first walkout by a state civil service union. Members of the California Association of Professional Scientists marched under cloudy skies in Sacramento to protest lack of progress in contract talks. The walkout will spread to Los Angeles, Oakland and other cities on Thursday and Friday.
The union represents about 5,200 members who work in more than 50 state departments and deal with issues ranging from air pollution and toxic waste control to earthquake hazards and agricultural pests, according to its website.
Members have been without a contract since 2020 despite bargaining and mediation. The membership rejected a tentative agreement earlier this year. Another state mediation session is planned for Nov. 28. It is the first time that state workers have struck since civil servants won collective bargaining rights in 1977, The Sacramento Bee reported.
