Union Challenges Newsom's Return-to-Office Mandate Using Environmental Law
A union representing California state legal workers is challenging Governor Gavin Newsom's mandate for a return to office, citing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The union argues that the mandate, which requires state employees to work in-office four days a week starting July 1, 2025, was not properly reviewed for environmental impacts. The union's letter to over 104 state agencies claims that the mandate will significantly increase commuting, leading to more car trips and air pollution. The California Environmental Quality Act, established in 1970, mandates environmental impact assessments for projects that could affect the environment. The union's legal representative, Richard Drury, insists that the state must conduct an environmental review before implementing the mandate. 
