California’s state workforce is bracing for a fight after Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom told government employees their telework days are nearly over.

A memo sent by Cabinet Secretary Nani Coloretti instructs agencies to put workers behind their desks four days a week starting July 1, with a single remote day permitted, according to the New York Post (NYP). The directive enforces Executive Order N-22-25, which unions managed to stall through bargaining last year. Newsom warned that office space shortages will not buy departments any more time, claiming 98% already have room to seat returning staff.

The governor laid out his case for the policy when he first signed the order. “In-person work makes us all stronger — period. When we work together, collaboration improves, innovation thrives, and accountability increases,” Newsom said in a press release from his office. California employs more than 224,000 full-time workers, over half of whom already report in person daily. (RELATED: Gavin Newsom Tees Up For Likely Presidential Run By Belittling Entire Region Of Country)

Labor groups got a one-year reprieve last summer only because Newsom traded it away during budget negotiations. The governor backed down after facing a $12 billion shortfall, swapping the delay for smaller raises and additional unpaid leave hours from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000, CalMatters reported.

Gov. Gavin Newsom to California agencies: Get ready for a four-day return to office https://t.co/hvoazG71Lw

— The Sacramento Bee (@sacbee_news) May 16, 2026

The unions are now swinging back. SEIU Local 1000 filed an Unfair Labor Practice Charge with the Public Employment Relations Board, arguing the administration refuses to bargain over the change, the NYP reported. The California Association of Professional Scientists (CAPS), representing 6,000 workers, attacked the order on Instagram and demanded clean office space free of “roaches” and “rats.” Professional Engineers in California Government, with 15,000 members, joined the legal opposition.

Rank-and-file workers told ABC10 the mandate will hit their wallets. “We are all going to feel the impact of having to spend more money on gas, having to spend more money on parking and childcare and all of the other costs that come along with that,” state employee Rachel Miller-Codar said.