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AB 138

State employment: state bargaining units.

2025-2026 Regular Session

California law redefines state employee bargaining unit structures, affecting how 350,000+ public sector workers organize collectively and negotiate wages and benefits.

Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 78, Statutes of 2025.
#stateemployment #statebargainingunits
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Bill Summary · AB 138

Legislative bill overview

AB 138 modifies California's state employee bargaining framework by adjusting how state employment bargaining units are defined, structured, or certified. The bill was approved by Governor Newsom in July 2025 and is now law. The specific mechanics involve changes to which employee groups can organize collectively or how existing bargaining unit designations operate.

Why is this important

State employee unions represent roughly 350,000+ California workers, making bargaining unit definitions directly affect wages, benefits, and working conditions for a significant workforce. Changes to bargaining structure can influence labor costs in the state budget, union organizing capacity, and workplace representation rights. This affects both public sector employees and taxpayers funding state operations.

Potential points of contention

  • Union organizing impact: Modifications to unit definitions could make it easier or harder for employees to unionize depending on how boundaries are redrawn, directly affecting labor's organizing power.
  • Management flexibility: Changes may expand or restrict management's ability to assign work across different employee classifications, affecting operational decisions and labor costs.
  • Equity among worker groups: Redefining units risks creating winners and losers among employee categories—some groups may gain bargaining leverage while others lose representation or consolidate with larger units, altering their negotiating position.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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