California Budget May Revision: AFSCME Local 2620 Response

May 14, 2025 - Governor Gavin Newsom released the May Revision of California’s state budget, revealing a projected $12 billion deficit a sharp reversal from the $363 million surplus projected in January. In response, the administration is proposing $767 million in payroll cuts, targeting state employee salaries and wages across departments.

Translation: The State is once again asking frontline public workers to pay for its budget crisis while continuing to waste taxpayer money on policies like the Return-to-Office (RTO) mandate. We will not stand for this.

No Raises. Rising Costs. No Justification.

The Governor’s proposal includes:

• No General Salary Increases for state workers in 2025–2026.

• No plan to address skyrocketing cost of living, inflation, or professional vacancy rates.

• A continued push to waste money on unnecessary RTO mandates, bloated tech projects, and private contractors instead of investing in the workforce.

AFSCME Local 2620 represents over 5,000 highly trained professionals in health care, mental health, vocational rehabilitation, and social services. We are the clinicians, counselors, investigators, and therapists who support the state’s most vulnerable communities and this budget plan disrespects that work.

We Are the Experts. We Are the Solution.

We worked through a global pandemic. We carried caseloads far above safe and ethical limits. We filled gaps during critical staffing shortages, all while meeting the needs of patients, clients, and incarcerated individuals under enormous pressure. And now the State is asking us to take a pay cut.

If the State has the money to fund RTO, it has the money to pay its workers.

Strike Fund Approved – We’re Prepared to Fight

In direct response to the Governor’s proposed cuts to worker compensation, AFSCME Local 2620’s Executive Board unanimously voted on May 17, 2025, to establish and fund a Strike Fund.

This action sends a clear message:
We are serious. We are organized. And we are ready.

The strike fund will help support members should job actions become necessary. This decision reflects our union’s deep commitment to protecting the rights, wages, and dignity of every AFSCME Local 2620 member.

We are not here to carry the burden of another budget crisis, we are here to fight back.

Now is the time to be alert, informed, and united. Start talking with your colleagues. Know your rights. Have a plan and be ready to act. Our power is in our preparation.

When we are informed, organized, and willing to show up, WE WIN.

This isn’t just about today’s budget. It’s about protecting the future of public service in California.

Be ready. Be loud. Be AFSCME strong.

United in Solidarity

AFSCME Local 2620 stands in coalition with other state bargaining units who are also rejecting the idea that state workers should bear the brunt of budget shortfalls. Together, we represent the backbone of California’s public services and we are fighting for a better future not just for ourselves, but for the communities we serve.

We are united across classifications, unions, and departments because a stronger public workforce means a stronger California.

What We’re Doing

AFSCME Local 2620 is mobilizing and engaging directly with CalHR, lawmakers, and the Legislature to push back against these proposals. We are demanding:

• Protection of previously negotiated raises and benefits.

• Rejection of across-the-board cuts to salaries and professional stipends.

• Accountability for wasteful RTO mandates and contracting-out practices.

Show Up. Speak Out. Push Back.

The Governor cannot impose these cuts alone. The Legislature must approve them. Now is our time to educate, organize, and fight.

Key Legislative Hearings:

Tuesday, May 20 – Senate Budget Subcommittee 5

• Time: 9:00 AM

• Location: Capitol Room 112

• Topic: State Employee Compensation

Wednesday, May 21 – Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5

• Time: 1:30 PM

• Location: Capitol Room 444

• Topics: RTO Mandate & State Compensation

Wednesday, May 21 – Rally at the Capitol (SEIU Led, AFSCME Supported)

• Time: 10:00 AM

• Location: West Steps, State Capitol

• Purpose: Fight back against budget cuts to state workers

Let’s show them AFSCME Local 2620 is watching and ready to act.

Take Action – Contact the Legislature

We’ve created a chart to help you identify the right committee member to contact. We encourage all AFSCME Local 2620 members to call and email key state budget committee members every message counts.

We’ve also included a call script and email template to make it easier to take action.