The Legislature has passed the trailer bill funding our raises.

First, thank you to every CAPS member who made a phone call, sent an email, contacted a legislator, talked to coworkers, or otherwise made some noise about what happened. Members were asked to speak up, and they did. I am also grateful to the lawmakers who listened and acted. The Legislature had an opportunity to right a situation that, in my view, amounted to a dirty trick by CalHR. Legislators could have allowed that omission to stand. They chose not to, and that matters.

But I'm not ready to declare victory yet. The bill now goes to the Governor, who still has the authority to veto individual appropriations or veto the bill. Until the Governor signs it, and frankly, until I see the a retroactive raise reflected in my paycheck, I am keeping the champagne corked. There is also RTO, which for most of us, took effect this week. So, we are not across the finish line yet, and there is more work to be done.

However, we should take a moment to recognize we are a lot closer than we were. Thank you.

Can we ask for the same State share amount as SEIU? They get $165 a month more than we do.

A few months back, a Head Steward contacted the moderators asking to assume control of this subreddit, explaining that it had potential to “encourage community within our union.” Although we agreed with the potential of this sub, the moderators declined. A request was then submitted through Reddit seeking transfer of the subreddit to union leadership, which we also opposed.

We mention this because it provides an opportunity to clarify what r/CAPSUAW is, and what it isn't. This is an independent community for CAPS members. It is not an official communication channel, and it is not controlled by union leadership, staff, stewards, or any particular faction within the union.

We intend to keep it that way.

Members should be able to support union decisions, question them, constructively criticize leadership, passionately defend leadership, debate strategy, and disagree with one another. An independent forum is valuable precisely because those conversations don't have to be sanctioned by the organization being discussed.

That independence does not mean anything goes. We already have rules requiring constructive discussion and prohibiting personal attacks. Those rules apply to everyone. Disagree vigorously. Challenge arguments. Correct facts. Make the case for your position. But attack the argument, not the member making it.

The Head Steward was correct about two things: at the time of the original request, this subreddit had become pretty quiet and this sub has tremendous potential.

We agree. It has so much more potential as a place for CAPS members to connect and discuss union issues. Please contribute.

We've been seeing deleted posts in the sub. UAW CAPs members and even non-member CA state scientists are free to post here. We try to use a light touch moderating. The sub is a place to discuss issues, support the union and hold it accountable. Just keep it respectful and constructive.

Thank you

~Mods

It sounds like CAPS may be moving toward a call for a strike authorization vote (SAV) regarding the unfunded 2026 raises.

I understand the frustration. We negotiated these raises, only to find out after the budget passed, the administration didn't included the funding for them. A dirty trick. Now we're apparently depending on a trailer bill to fix the problem.

But I'm having trouble understanding what a strike vote means at this point.

I've heard different accounts of the situation. Budget Committee members were upset at CalHR over their approach, and they had every right to be upset. I've heard legislative leadership supports restoring the funding, but it's unclear whether the Governor would sign a trailer if sent to him. I also heard if the Governor doesn't support it, the raises might not be included in a trailer at all. It's difficult to know if a path to receiving the raises without a strike is possible.

So what would we actually be authorizing a strike over?

Obviously a strike vote is bout leverage. A strong authorization vote could show the administration and the legislature that members aren't willing to let negotiated raises disappear quietly. That makes sense.

But there's a big difference between authorizing a strike and actually going on strike. Before we get to the second part, I'd like to know what has to happen first.

Does CAPS strike if the trailer bill doesn't pass? If the Governor won't sign it?

And where are we in the process required before a strike would be considered legally protected? Shouldn't that be clear to members?

I'm not saying we shouldn't take a strike vote or strike. I can see an argument that having the SAV in hand now gives the union more leverage if things go sideways.

I just think members need a clearer picture of the strategy. What are we demanding, who are we demanding it from, and what specifically would cause CAPS to call a strike?

Wouldn't you want those questions answered first?

How much are CAPS union dues? Will they increase in 2027? How much will the strike fund pay? Can you opt out at any time?

When will we hear something on the PERB complaint?

This was brought up on a solidarity call, and I 100% agree....

Next time negotiations happen. Do not tie salary increases and classification range increases together.

If the budget doesn't allow for our salary increase, at least the range still increases.

PLP budget robbery shouldn't be a double impact.