Walkout

SEIU Local 1000, representing about 100,000 California state workers, announced that members voted overwhelmingly—96% in favor—to authorize a strike, the first in the union's 44-year history. The union is seeking higher pay, more affordable health coverage and greater remote-work flexibility after its contract expired July 1.

The union has accused CalHR, which negotiates on behalf of Governor Gavin Newsom's administration, of bad-faith bargaining; the state's Public Employment Relations Board sided with the union, finding CalHR failed to meet and confer in good faith. CalHR says it remains open to negotiation and mediation. A budget crisis had already forced unions, including Local 1000, to accept temporary pay reductions and delayed raises this year. It is unclear when or if a strike would begin. Union leaders say a walkout could delay services at the DMV and state unemployment and disability offices, and that demands will persist regardless of who succeeds Newsom after the upcoming gubernatorial election.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank has asked the Justice Department's civil rights division, led by Harmeet K. Dhillon, to investigate last week's anti-ICE student walkout in Denver after the demonstration turned violent. In a Tuesday letter, Crank raised concerns about whether outside groups such as the Democratic Socialists of America, Indivisible and 50501 Colorado helped organize, fund, or influence the protest, and whether counterprotesters and journalists were unlawfully prevented from exercising their rights.

More than 160 Colorado schools were expected to take part in the walkout, organized by the Colorado Youth Coalition, in which hundreds of students gathered at La Alma-Lincoln Park to protest ICE enforcement under the Trump administration. Denver police reported five assaults, with three people hospitalized, after students clashed with counterprotesters, including one incident where a man's pro-ICE sign was torn up and another where a woman was punched. Officers cited two people for graffiti and are still investigating. Melat Kiros, Democratic nominee for Colorado's 1st Congressional District, spoke at the rally.