Wasim Ali works for the California Air Resources Board, an agency whose mission is to fight air pollution. Now he must drive to the office four days a week. "You're forcing folks to pollute more, drive more, when that's going against our mission statement for our entire agency," he said.
Newsom wants to return to a more traditional work pattern after the pandemic-era delays. "Change is hard," he said. "While I'm empathetic, we've been previewing this for years now and we want to get it done."
Unions representing the workers reacted quickly. CASE, a union that counts state lawyers, administrative law judges, and hearing officers among its members, filed a lawsuit to stop the policy. They argue the policy violates California's environmental law because it forces more driving and pollution.
One affected worker, Wasim Ali, an engineer at the Air Resources Board, ran the numbers on his personal costs.
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"I'm going into the office and sitting in front of a computer," said Ali. "Why can't I just sit in front of the computer from home and do it?"
According to one state engineer's calculations, the new policy results in approximately $500 more per month spent on fuel and parking, plus an extra two and a half hours of commuting time weekly.
According to a state auditor's report, cutting state office space by nearly one-third through remote work could save taxpayers roughly $225 million each year.
Three unions are fighting the policy in different ways. SEIU Local 1000 submitted an unfair labor practice grievance. Meanwhile, the Professional Engineers in California Government pledged to continue advocating for telework.
In June, SEIU members organized a procession of about 1,000 cars through downtown Sacramento, displaying signs that read, "Fighting for What We Deserve." Ted Toppin, executive director of the Professional Engineers in California Government, made the union's stance clear: "We will continue to press for it because that's what our members want, and that's what has proven successful in delivering for taxpayers. We might have lost the battle over delaying the return-to-office order, but the war has just begun."
CASE president Talene Ghazarian also called on the governor to reconsider. "We're hopeful Governor Newsom will look at the data because it is clear: flexible work is better for the environment, better for taxpayers and better for working families."
Alongside the lawsuit, SEIU Local 1000 filed an unfair labor practice grievance, and in June about 1,000 union members drove through downtown Sacramento in protest, holding signs demanding better conditions. The Professional Engineers in California Government continue to push for telework options, emphasizing its proven success for taxpayers. The next court hearing in the CASE lawsuit is scheduled for November.
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