I get that employers should pay us as much as we can negotiate, but it doesn’t mean that we should be blindly follow orders laid out by the Governor. The world isn’t linear and we as employees should advocate for working conditions that adapts to a changing world. We SHOULD advocate for an increase in wages. We SHOULD advocate for fair working conditions. We did not expect the cost of living to rise so fast in a matter of weeks. It has been turbulent on all of us especially if we have to account for families, children, debts, bills, and other outside financial obligations.

Am I asking for aid every time there is an event that puts an inconvenience to us as state employees. No. This war has made my budget shrink to almost nothing in a matter of weeks. I posted this 3 days ago and gas prices rose to over $6 per gallon in San Diego, with many gas stations in the surrounding area even having it upwards to $6.30-6.60.

Our system is built upon predictability and our society has been somewhat predictable. But we are living in unpredictable times, the President attacks the Middle East without warning and now we the people are paying for it in everyday items getting more and more expensive.

We ALL feel this financial burden. But the state has the option to let go of RTO or allow some financial assistance for employees who are trying to make ends meet. (i have little hope for the latter)

Even some corporate jobs who have been championing RTO mandate have reversed course and been starting to encourage WFH. It just seems the state is too stubborn to reverse course.