With a ratio of 59% to 41%, hundreds of state-employed scientists in California rejected a tentative labor deal, conveying a message to the Newsom government and union leaders that the increases suggested in that offer were inappropriate.
The outcome of the vote was released by the union that represents these employees, the California Association of Professional Scientists, on Thursday on receiving them from the independent organization in control of the count. According to Jackqueline Tkac, the leader of the bargaining team, two-thirds of the 2,744 workers who could vote did so, suggesting to management that employees are very involved.
“In the coming weeks, we’ll hopefully start up again at the bargaining table,” Tkac remarked. “We concentrated on managing the membership during the past year, and we’ll keep doing that. Additionally, we’ll work to develop connections of solidarity with other labor unions and take whatever other steps are necessary to secure a decent contract.”
The top officials of the California Department of Human Resources opted not to comment on the findings.
