California + unions = supreme stupidity

California unions that have jurisdiction will make any excuse to prevent their members from (breathe!) returning to work in the office.

From rats and rocks to variety to childcare costs, union bosses have trotted out a host of reasons why they don’t have to dress up, sign in and show up, despite a government order to report to work four days a week from 1 July 2026.

The latest laugh: When they drive to work, their cars will emit carbon dioxide, which exacerbates climate change.

The union that represents the state’s law enforcement officers is now arguing — we’re not kidding — that the order to get government workers back in the office needs a comprehensive environmental review.

It’s an argument only a lawyer would love.

California attorneys, Administrative Law Judges and County Employment Hearing Officers (CASE) say the reinstatement requires review under CEQA, the state’s tortious environmental law.

In a heated letter, the union called the order — which was first issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2024 — “a choice decision that will have many environmental impacts that must be analyzed, disclosed and mitigated.”

Well, that sounds like a long process. Perhaps the idea is to delay any real obligation to emerge until all current employees have retired.

Naturally, the union threatens to take legal action if the state refuses to comply.

Hmm. Who is really in charge here?

It doesn’t sound like Newsom or the legislators, or the people of California are paying for everything: salaries, empty government offices, lawsuits, CEQA reviews and more.

The Union wants the world as a self-centered, hard-nosed individual a lot with a title.

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Most of the private sector has returned to pre-COVID work practices over the years. But government employees, somehow, deserve perpetual special treatment?

And it’s hard to see an order to show four days a week as a burden; most private sector workers would prefer to work remotely 20% of the time.

Besides, employers should have the right to determine this, perhaps the most basic of all employment situations.

Already, the stance of union lawyers has delayed, for a year, the implementation of the show-to-work order.

And now that the layoffs are forcing workers to stay home, the unions have turned Newsom’s climate zeal against him.

It’s all very stupid.

CEQA, after all, is generally intended to address the environmental impacts of construction, public works and infrastructure projects — not driving existing workplaces.

And if the country’s workers are worried about carbon emissions, maybe they should invest in personal electric cars, or walk, carpool, bike, roller skate, skateboard, or take a bus, train or scooter to the office.

But really, for union advocates, the demand for environmental review is just an excuse, another reason to do what they want instead of what’s right or what’s best for Californians.

It is clear that unionized civil servants will take drastic measures to avoid working in a real office. Why?