News Release

San Mateo Superior Court Will Stay Open During Anticipated SEIU Strike

November 12, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jeniffer B. Alcantara, Court Executive Officer
Email: execoffice@sanmateocourt.org

Redwood City, Calif. (November 12, 2026) — The Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo has been notified by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 521 of its intention to conduct a strike beginning Monday, November 16th. The Court will remain open and continue providing essential and emergency services throughout the duration of any labor action. 

The Court respects the rights of represented employees under the collective bargaining process and remains committed to reaching a fair and sustainable agreement. Court leadership recognizes the dedication and professionalism of its employees, who serve members of the public every day and help ensure access to justice throughout San Mateo County.  

"Our employees are the foundation of the Court's ability to serve the public," said Jeniffer B. Alcantara, Court Executive Officer, "We understand that many employees, like families throughout the Bay Area, continue to face economic pressures and rising costs. We value their contributions and remain committed to negotiating in good faith toward an agreement that supports employees while preserving the Court's ability to provide essential services to the community. 

At the same time, the Court has a responsibility to carefully manage public funds and operate within the resources provided by the State of California. In addition to employee compensation and benefits, the Court must fund critical operational expenses, including technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, facility maintenance, interpreters, and other services necessary to meet its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.” 

The Court's budget information is available on its public website. For fiscal year 2026-27, the Court expects to receive approximately $53.5 million in base allocations. However, under the Judicial Council's workload formula, the Court's estimated operational need is approximately $67.3 million.1 As is the case for many California trial courts, the San Mateo Superior Court continues to operate below its demonstrated funding need. The Court is currently funded at approximately 80% of its projected operational requirements. 

Commitments to Employee Compensation 

Employee compensation remains the Court's largest expenditure. Approximately $3.75 of every $5 received by the Court is dedicated to personnel costs. Over the past eight years, represented employees have received a combination of salary increases, one-time payments, enhanced leave benefits, longevity incentives, and/or other negotiated improvements as reflected in the chart below. 

Effective Date   

Wage & Benefit Improvement Highlights   

10/21/18   

  • 5% cost of living adjustment (COLA)   

07/01/19   

  • 3% COLA   

  • $2,500 one-time payment   

 05/31/20   

  • $2,000 one-time payment   

  • 8 hours of floating holiday bank   

 06/18/21 *contract extension   

  • $2,000 one-time payment   

  • 8 hours of floating holiday bank   

07/11/21   

  • 2% COLA   

01/09/22   

  • 1% COLA   

10/16/22   

  • 5% COLA    

  • $2,000 one-time payment   

  • Additional 5% equity adjustment to Courtroom Clerks   

  • Additional 5% realignment to Court Reporters   

  • Increased health benefits coverage (100% HMO Employer Paid Medical)   

06/11/23   

  • $5,000 Court Reporter retention bonus   

07/06/23   

  • 4% COLA    

  • $2,000 one-time payment   

06/09/24   

  • $5,000 Court Reporter retention bonus   

 07/07/24   

  • 2% COLA   

06/08/25   

  • $10,000 Court Reporter retention bonus   

12/07/25   

  • 3% equity adjustment Deputy Court Clerks (SEIUs largest job classification), Fiscal Office Specialists, and Exhibit Technicians  

  • $3,000 one-time payment   

  • 16 hours of wellness leave  

  • Increased bereavement leave   

  • Increased vacation cash out   

  • Added new longevity milestones at 5 years and 1% increase to each longevity milestone   

06/07/26   

  • $5,000 Court Reporter retention bonus   

A 2026 salary study conducted by CPS HR Consulting concluded that the Court’s wages and benefits for represented positions are at or above market rate compared to all neighboring courts in the Bay Area. Accordingly, the Court’s existing proposal to SEIU represents a responsible balance between recognizing employee contributions and maintaining the long-term financial stability necessary to serve the public while continuing to stay competitive with its sister trial courts. 

 Court Operations Will Continue 

Should the strike proceed, the Court will implement contingency plans utilizing available managers and unrepresented employees to maintain critical operations, consistent with constitutional and statutory obligations.   

All Court locations will remain open. Essential services will continue, including processing emergency domestic violence restraining orders; criminal arraignments and other proceedings subject to statutory deadlines; custody arraignments; unlawful detainer stays; and civil harassment proceedings. 

To support public access, document drop boxes will be available at the Court's Redwood City and South San Francisco locations; as well as at the Juvenile branch in San Mateo for juvenile filings. Some non-emergency matters may be continued or rescheduled, and members of the public should anticipate potential delays in certain services and case processing.   Please check the courts website on the day of the labor action for more information regarding services: https://sanmateo.courts.ca.gov/ 

The Court remains focused on minimizing impacts to litigants, attorneys, jurors, and the broader community while continuing efforts to achieve a negotiated resolution with represented employees.