Updated October 20, 2026 / Actualizado el 20 de octubre de 2026
⚠️ Quick summary
California state workers represented by SEIU Local 1000 plan a one-day strike on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Some state services, possibly including the Secretary of State, may be slower this week. We are still accepting and processing apostille orders, and we will contact you directly if your order is affected.
What is happening
SEIU Local 1000 is California's largest state worker union. It represents close to 100,000 employees in more than 100 state departments, including clerks, office assistants, analysts, IT staff, nurses and custodians. Its contract with the state expired in the summer, and talks over pay, health care and the four-day return-to-office rule stalled.
In early October, about 96% of members who voted approved a strike. The union called it an "unfair practice strike," saying the state did not bargain in good faith. The state disagrees and asked the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) to stop it. PERB declined to block the strike, but it required roughly 4,400 workers, mostly in state hospitals and prisons, to stay on the job for public health and safety.
This would be the first strike in the union's history. A similar strike was planned in 2016 but was called off at the last minute after a deal was reached.
Key dates
| Date (2026) | What |
|---|---|
| Early October | Members vote to authorize a strike |
| Mid October | PERB declines the state's request to block the strike |
| Wednesday, October 21 | One-day strike |
| Friday, October 30 | Mediation session between the union and the state |
The union has said it may take further action, including another strike, if talks don't improve. We will update this post if that happens.
What it means for California apostilles
All apostilles for California documents are issued by the California Secretary of State. The union's strike plans list a picket line at the Secretary of State building at 1500 11th Street in Sacramento, so some staff there may be out on October 21.
What we know: the strike is scheduled for one day only.
What we don't know yet: whether apostille processing itself will slow down, and for how long. The Secretary of State has not published a strike notice that we could find. A one-day absence can still create a small backlog for the following days.
What we are doing for our clients
- We are still accepting and processing orders as usual.
- If the state office delays your document, we will contact you directly with an update.
- Same-Day orders: as always, if the state office can't complete your document the same day, it is processed the next business day and the price difference is refunded.
- We will check with the Secretary of State on strike day and update this post.
Tips if you are sending documents this week
- Mail as usual. Your documents are safe with us while they wait in line at the state office.
- Allow a little extra time if you have a firm deadline abroad, like a wedding, visa appointment or property closing.
- Check your document before mailing. Vital records: use our free certificate checklist. Notarized documents: run the $5 notary certificate pre-check, credited toward your order.
- ⚠️ Do NOT select "Signature Required" or "Certified Mail with Signature" when mailing your documents. Packages requiring a signature cause delivery delays and a $100 extra fee, which will be added to your invoice. Tracking is fine, just no signature.
Frequently asked questions
Will my apostille be delayed?
Possibly by a day or two, but we don't know yet. We will tell you right away if your order is affected.
Should I wait to mail my documents?
No. Mailing now keeps your place in line. Waiting usually adds more time than the strike itself.
Is the Secretary of State closed?
We have not seen an official closure notice. You can check sos.ca.gov for the latest updates.
Can I still place an order?
Yes. Start your apostille order here.
Questions? ✉️ help@californiaapostille.us | 📞 (707) 992-5551 | 🌐 CaliforniaApostille.US
En español: huelga de empleados estatales del 21 de octubre
Los empleados del Estado de California representados por SEIU Local 1000 planean una huelga de un día el miércoles 21 de octubre de 2026. Algunos servicios estatales, posiblemente incluyendo la Secretaría de Estado, podrían tardar más esta semana. Seguimos recibiendo y procesando órdenes de apostilla, y le avisaremos directamente si su orden se ve afectada.
Qué está pasando
SEIU Local 1000 es el sindicato más grande de empleados estatales de California, con cerca de 100,000 trabajadores en más de 100 departamentos. Su contrato con el estado venció en el verano y las negociaciones sobre salarios, seguro médico y la regla de trabajo presencial cuatro días por semana se estancaron.
A principios de octubre, cerca del 96% de los miembros que votaron aprobaron la huelga. El estado pidió a la junta laboral estatal (PERB) detenerla, pero la junta no la bloqueó. Sí exigió que unos 4,400 trabajadores esenciales, principalmente de hospitales y prisiones estatales, sigan trabajando. Sería la primera huelga en la historia del sindicato.
Qué significa para las apostillas de California
Todas las apostillas de documentos de California las emite la Secretaría de Estado de California. El sindicato anunció una línea de huelga frente al edificio de la Secretaría de Estado en 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, así que parte del personal podría ausentarse el 21 de octubre.
Por ahora no sabemos si el trámite de apostillas se retrasará ni por cuánto tiempo. No encontramos ningún aviso oficial de la Secretaría de Estado. Una ausencia de un día puede causar algo de retraso en los días siguientes.
Hay una sesión de mediación programada para el viernes 30 de octubre. El sindicato dijo que podría tomar más acciones si no hay avances. Actualizaremos esta publicación si hay cambios.
Lo que estamos haciendo
- Seguimos recibiendo y procesando órdenes con normalidad.
- Si la oficina estatal retrasa su documento, le avisaremos directamente.
- Órdenes del mismo día: como siempre, si la oficina estatal no puede completar su documento el mismo día, se procesa el siguiente día hábil y se le reembolsa la diferencia.
Consejos si envía documentos esta semana
- Envíelos normalmente. Enviar ahora mantiene su lugar en la fila.
- Deje un poco de tiempo extra si tiene una fecha límite en el extranjero.
- Revise su documento antes de enviarlo. Actas: use nuestra lista de verificación gratuita. Documentos firmados ante un Notary Public: use la revisión previa de $5, que se acredita a su orden.
- ⚠️ NO seleccione "Signature Required" (firma requerida) ni "Certified Mail with Signature" al enviar sus documentos. Los paquetes que requieren firma causan retrasos en la entrega y un cargo adicional de $100, que se agregará a su factura. El número de rastreo está bien, solo sin firma.
¿Preguntas? ✉️ help@californiaapostille.us | 📞 (707) 992-5551 | 🌐 Iniciar su pedido
Sources / Fuentes
- SEIU Local 1000: Strike page
- CalMatters: California state workers are about to strike
- Abridged: Labor board won't block California state worker strike
- CapRadio: What the strike means for the DMV, EDD, parks and more
- California Secretary of State: Request an Apostille
I am not an attorney and cannot give legal advice. This post is general information about a public event and may change. / No soy abogado y no puedo dar asesoría legal. Esta publicación es información general sobre un evento público y puede cambiar.