By a 74 percent margin, SEIU Local 1000 state workers in California voted to step up pressure on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to ensure that the contract signed with the governor's representatives this past February is ratified. "We are not going to stand by and let him [Schwarzenegger] hurt California, our families and ruin the quality public services we provide," said SEIU President Yvonne Walker, making clear that the workers would strike if necessary. "We wouldn't be in this situation if the governor had lived up to his word and supported the contract that he agreed to, which would save the state $340 million," Walker added.

Local 1000 represents 95,000 state workers in numerous government agencies including clerks at the DMV, healthcare professionals in public hospitals, librarians at the State Library and auditors at the state tax board. More at SEIU Local 1000's website and the LA Times.