California State Workers — Organizing 2025
A member-led, democratically-governed alternative union for California's state workforce. Real seats at the table. Fair pay. Modern workflows. Your voice — finally heard.
01 — Who We Are
RISE is built for California state workers who demand a real seat at the table. We reject unaccountable representation and outdated systems. Our mission: modernize the way California's workforce negotiates, organizes, and advances — with full transparency, fair dues, and real power for every member.
California's state workforce powers one of the world's largest economies. Yet our pay hasn't kept pace with the cost of living. Our workflows are stuck in the past. And for too long, our union has negotiated without us in the room. That ends with RISE.
Become a founding memberMembers vote on every major decision. Real collective bargaining power in your hands.
Compensation benchmarked to California's actual cost of living. Close the gap.
Codified hybrid and remote work arrangements that reflect how public service works today.
Streamlined workflows, digital tools. Stop leaving California's resources on the table.
Aligned with California's environmental mandates. Green policy built in from day one.
Open books, flexible dues. A union that works for its members — not the other way around.
02 — Membership Tiers
Choose the level that fits your situation. Every tier gets a voice. Every tier gets representation. No barriers to entry.
For workers exploring RISE or in financial hardship. Full community access, zero cost.
Full democratic participation. Vote on contracts, leadership, bargaining. This is where your voice lives.
Lead the movement in your department. Empowered to act, organize, and represent your peers directly.
03 — Collective Bargaining
Under the current system, members have no direct role in contract negotiations. Under RISE, bargaining is participatory, transparent, and driven by the people whose lives depend on the outcome.
Priority Contract Demands — 2025–2026
Immediate 12–18% COLA increase benchmarked to the Bay Area/Sacramento cost of living index, with annual indexed adjustments.
Codify hybrid and remote work arrangements into MOU language, with clear eligibility criteria and anti-retaliation protections.
Joint labor-management technology committee to eliminate outdated systems and reduce administrative burden by 30%.
Enforceable caseload and task volume caps across classifications to address the pay-to-workload imbalance.
Align state workplace operations with California's environmental mandates — sustainable procurement, reduced commute requirements, EV fleet access.
Labor's share of California's budget must reflect actual economic output. Workforce investment tied to state revenue performance.
04 — PERB Filing Roadmap
California state workers are governed by the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), not the NLRB. Here's the full path from organizing to certified exclusive bargaining representative.
Recruit members across your bargaining unit. Document working conditions, collect contact info, and build a core organizing committee. You need a meaningful showing of interest before filing — aim for 30%+ of the unit.
In ProgressSubmit a Representation Petition (PERB Form 1000) to the PERB regional office. This formally notifies the state employer and existing exclusive representative (SEIU) of your intent to seek recognition. Required: proof of 30% support via authorization cards.
PERB Form 1000PERB investigates and holds a unit determination hearing. They define the appropriate bargaining unit using the "community of interest" test. Legal representation matters here — classifications included in the unit shape the scope of the election.
30–90 Day ProcessPERB conducts a secret ballot election among eligible unit members. RISE must win a majority of votes cast. The election is conducted by PERB staff and is binding. Campaigning is permitted — your rights are protected under California Government Code §3515.
Member VoteUpon winning, PERB certifies RISE as the exclusive bargaining representative. The state employer must then bargain in good faith. Negotiations for the first MOU begin within 30 days of certification.
Goal04b — Your CalPERS Benefits
CalPERS administers your pension, health, dental, vision, and death benefits. Here's exactly what you're entitled to — and where RISE will push to improve it.
Retirement Formula
Your monthly pension = Service Credit × Benefit Factor × Final Compensation. It's a lifetime guaranteed payment — not subject to market risk.
Example Calculation — Classic Tier A, retiring at 55
Note: Social Security WEP/GPO offset rules were repealed January 5, 2025 by the Social Security Fairness Act — CalPERS members in non-covered positions may now be entitled to additional retroactive SS payments going back to 2024.
2025 Health Plan Premiums (Statewide)
State pays 100% of the single-party weighted average premium (or 90% for dependents) under the 100/90 formula. Plans available via HMO, PPO, and EPO — 14+ options statewide.
| Health Plan | Type | Single | 2-Party | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | HMO | $1,045 | $2,090 | $2,718 |
| Blue Shield Access+ HMO | HMO | $966 | $1,932 | $2,511 |
| Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO | HMO | $1,022 | $2,043 | $2,656 |
| UnitedHealthcare SignatureValue | HMO | $961 | $1,923 | $2,500 |
| PERS Gold PPO | PPO | $944 | $1,887 | $2,454 |
| PERS Platinum PPO | PPO | $1,335 | $2,671 | $3,472 |
Source: CalPERS 2025 Statewide Basic Monthly Health Premiums · calpers.ca.gov
Additional Benefits
Prepaid (DeltaCare, MetLife, Premier Access, Western Dental), Indemnity (Delta Dental PPO+Premier), and PPO plans. State pays full or partial premium. Basic services often at no cost.
Vision Service Plan (VSP) coverage for active and retired state employees and dependents age 25 and under. Enroll within 60 days of hire or qualifying event, or during Open Enrollment.
Upon death of an active member or retiree, CalPERS provides benefits to designated beneficiaries or survivors. Benefit amount depends on employer contract, occupation, and employment status at time of death.
Disability Retirement (any cause) and Industrial Disability Retirement (job-related injury or illness). Benefits determined by employer contract and occupation. Investment risk is borne by CalPERS, not you.
Supplemental Income 457 Plan and Savings Plus program available. Contributions and investment returns are tax-deferred until paid. Employer contributions are pre-tax; no investment risk to employee on defined benefit.
83.7% estimated funded as of Dec 2025. Average retiree receives $3,772/mo ($45,264/yr). 714,696 total retirees. 11.6% investment return FY 2024–25. Your pension is one of the strongest defined-benefit systems in the U.S. — protect it.
RISE Position on CalPERS
CalPERS is one of the most valuable benefits you have. RISE will fight to protect and expand your defined benefit pension, oppose any attempts to shift state workers to 401(k)-style plans, push for PEPRA reform to restore equity between Tier A and PEPRA members, and demand full transparency on how employer contribution rates are set. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2025 was a win — RISE will hold the state accountable for implementing it fully and retroactively.
05 — Get Involved
It starts with one signature. Tell us who you are and how you want to help build RISE.