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SB 161

State employment: state bargaining units.

2025-2026 Regular Session

California law restructures state employee bargaining units, reorganizing collective bargaining representation for tens of thousands of public sector workers and affecting future labor negotiations.

Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 114, Statutes of 2025.
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Bill Summary · SB 161

Legislative bill overview

SB 161 modifies California's state employment bargaining structure by reorganizing how state employees are grouped into collective bargaining units. The bill adjusts which state workers are included in existing bargaining units or creates new unit designations, affecting representation and negotiation structures for public sector workers. The changes took effect upon the Governor's approval in September 2025.

Why is this important

Bargaining unit structure directly impacts which employees can negotiate collectively, what issues they can collectively address, and their collective bargaining power. Reorganizing these units affects tens of thousands of state employees' ability to advocate for wages, benefits, and working conditions, and influences the state's labor costs and workforce management practices.

Potential points of contention

  • Union representation impact: Reorganizing units may strengthen or weaken specific unions' membership bases and negotiating leverage depending on how employees are regrouped
  • Wage and benefit negotiations: Changes in unit composition could affect which employee groups negotiate together, potentially altering bargaining outcomes for specific classifications or departments
  • Administrative implementation: Reorganizing established bargaining structures requires complex administrative transitions, including updating contracts, representation elections, and negotiation frameworks

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

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