have been protesting<\/a> the mandate now for years, in a continuous gridlock with Newsom.<\/p>\n“People have literally chosen to set up their lives around hybrid schedules,” Jeremiah Lawson, a state employee with the Department of Transportation said. Lawson made his way to Sacramento for the rally. He said he lives in downtown Los Angeles and works out of the department office down south.<\/p>\n
Employees said one of their biggest concerns is whether office space and equipment are available to accommodate the increased number of workers returning in person. Workers from various departments have shared with ABC10 they’re seeing internal memos acknowledging such complications.<\/p>\n
“We’re currently desk sharing as it is. So, if they wanted us to come in, where would we go, what would we do?” Jay Bessette, a state employee with the Department of Social Services said.<\/p>\n
Walls said some employees have reported being assigned to conference rooms or moving their equipment between workstations.<\/p>\n
“Some of them are being called to conference rooms, and there’s three people in a conference room. Other employees are telling me that they’re having to lug around their computers and office equipment from one cubicle to the next,” Walls said, criticizing the workflow as “inefficient.”<\/p>\n
State officials said they are working with departments as needed to help ensure a smooth return for employees and that they will maximize usage of available space.<\/p>\n
Workers also cited increased traffic, pollution and higher gas prices as concerns. The state auditor has noted that telework saves about $225 million in taxpayer dollars, but Newsom has not changed course.<\/p>\n
Some signage at the Wednesday protest appeared to mock this very response. Workers also pushed back on Newsom’s hopes to revitalize downtown with the presence of workers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Employees at the rally also alleged the mandate is politically motivated; amid speculation Newsom is eyeing a 2028 presidential run.<\/p>\n
“I voted for you. I stood with you. And now, you’re not with me,” Leif Jones, an employee with the Department of Housing and Community Development said, noting he voted for Newsom twice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But when asked whether he would vote for Newsom for president, Jones said, “I wouldn’t. And that’s a consensus that’s felt by everyone else here.”<\/p>\n
Labor unions have long had a bumpy relationship with the governor, as he’s balanced his relationship with workers and businesses.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When asked whether Newsom is damaging his relationship with labor unions, Walls said, “You know, relationships are a two-way partnership. I mean, if I was looking to the future, as a current boss now, I’m not sure I’d want him to be the boss of federal employees either.”<\/p>\n
SEIU Local 1000 is the largest union of state workers in California.<\/p>\n
Labor leaders emphasized while they’re encouraging workers to comply with the mandate meantime, opposition will not stop.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re also asking people to make deliberate decisions on how they use their money and their time to make sure the message is clear,\u201d Bobby Roy, chief negotiator of SEIU Local 1000, said.<\/p>\n
Roy foreshadowed there would be not only more organized protests such as Wednesday’s rallies but spontaneous ones too, such as the rumored brown bag protests.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another frustration for SEIU Local 1000 members specifically is that they failed contract negotiations with the state Tuesday night. Roy explained that while the union requested a pay raise, better healthcare coverage (given the rising cost of monthly premiums), as well as telework flexibility, among other factors, the Newsom Administration rejected all of them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In response to contract negotiations, CalHR told ABC10 in a statement, “CalHR respects the confidentiality of the bargaining process and does not speak on ongoing negotiations. CalHR remains committed to continuing to negotiate in good faith with SEIU Local 1000.”<\/p>\n
Roy detailed that while ongoing negotiations are specific to the contract for union members, any wins for them on telework will act as opposition to the sweeping RTO mandate.<\/p>\n
The focus has also shifted to legislative pushback via the bipartisan Assembly Bill 1729. It passed the Assembly and is now making its way through the state senate. AB1729 seeks to require state departments to justify why employees need to work in person. It would also reinstate a telework dashboard, which provides public data on the efficiencies of telework, such as whether employee performance is still productive, as well as how much greenhouse gas emissions are being reduced.<\/p>\n
“I think it’s interesting the governor has found a way to piss people on all sides off with this,” Assemblymember Josh Hoover, a Republican and co-author of AB 1729, said. “The Legislature has made clear we want state agencies to have flexibility when it comes to remote work.”<\/p>\n
Hoover, as well as Democratic assemblymembers Maggy Krell and Liz Ortega, were in attendance Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n
Many, including Hoover, expressed optimism with the next governor. Newsom is termed out in January.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf nothing else, maybe we can look to Becerra to overturn it. It\u2019s just an executive order, the next governor can change it,” Nick Aiello, a state worker with the Department of Conservation, said.<\/p>\n
Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton will be facing off in the November general election to succeed Newsom.<\/p>\n
“The reality is we’re going to have a new governor in a year. This conversation is going to continue into the new administration,” Asm. Hoover said.<\/p>\n
Hoover added he’s not optimistic Gov. Newsom would sign AB1729 into law, even if it makes it to his desk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Legislature has the ability to override a gubernatorial veto but has not done so since 1979.<\/p>\n
While Hoover acknowledged that’s unlikely, he said the Legislature should consider it.<\/p>\n
ABC10 asked Newsom’s office why the governor was unwilling to change the policy and for his reaction to the mandate taking effect. The governor’s office did not provide a direct answer, instead redirecting us to the state Government Operations Agency.<\/p>\n
We pushed back, asking for a response directly from the governor’s team but did not hear back, despite multiple attempts.<\/p>\n
We also followed up, asking whether political ambitions played a role in the mandate. We did not hear back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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