Union: State workers return to office pushed back to July 2026

SEIU Local 1000 and California reach a deal delaying the state's return-to-office order to July 1, 2026.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — SEIU Local 1000, the state's largest worker union, said it's reached a bargaining agreement that delays the governor's return-to-office order to July 1, 2026.

The California Department of Human Resources confirmed the agreement with SEIU Local 1000 representing employees in bargaining units, 1, 3, 4, 11, 14, 15, 17, 20 and 21.

It's not clear how many union members the return to office pause will impact yet.

Governor Gavin Newsom originally mandated that state employees return to the office at least four days a week starting on July 1.

SEIU Local 1000 added that it also gives them a path to bargain again in 2025.

The agreement's terms will have to be approved by the legislature and the governor. If approved, it would be effective through June 30, 2027.

A breakdown from the SEIU on the impacts to their members can be found HERE.

Agreements and summaries can also be found on the CalHR website.

The agreement comes after SEIU filed a lawsuit against the governor and California Department of Human Resources, challenging the governor's return to office order.

The governor's office already delayed the mandate by a year for some employees, including those unions representing engineers and attorneys.