Help Fund Anti-RTO Billboard in Sacramento
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7/9: Not really any updates. Just checking in. RTO pause will also go into effect for the excluded employees associated with said bargaining units, so yay!
I’ve also been reading your messages. Thank you, Karen, for your really sweet reply and donation—and I agree!
Just because RTO is paused doesn’t mean they can’t take steps to start bringing us in July 2026. I urge everyone to keep writing to the assembly, union leaders, and call Newsom’s office every chance you get. Also, let’s continue to make noise for the new governor who will be replacing Newsom.
Thank you all again! We still have $ in the bucket for another billboard! Or as suggested on Reddit, we can save it for when July 2026 rolls around. Let me know and once again—thank you to all who donated, attended rallies, and made your voices heard. You did it!
7/3 update: I was in Davis earlier driving back to Sacramento and the first billboard from 5/12 is still up! Check it out when you can (I thought they were going to take it down in June).
6/30 Update: Unless you’ve been living under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard the incredible news; RTO has officially been delayed until July 2026!
We also:
-keep our raises (on paper),
-earn 5 hours of PLP each month, and
-stop paying into OPEB effective in a few months.
Huge shoutout to SEIU 1000 for their role in this, and an even bigger THANK YOU to all of you who helped make this happen. Your rallies, your protests, the calls to assemblymembers, the emails, the billboard donations, and most of all, your personal stories. You were heard. I know it’s cliché, but there really is strength in numbers.
That said… the fight isn’t over.
If nothing changes between now and July 2026, we’ll still be expected to return to the office four days a week. That’s why getting telework protections into the contract is crucial.
So, where does this campaign go from here?
Right now, I’m thinking of pausing donations until we get closer to July 2026. Then we come back with an even bigger, bolder billboard campaign. Or possibly developing another strategy to make sure our voices are heard loud and clear.
As mentioned earlier, we still have funds left for at least one more billboard. Some have suggested putting one up in Los Angeles; others have proposed saving it until closer to the due date, or creating a new, viral-worthy design with bold language.
Let me know your thoughts; your input matters.
Thank you all so much again! We can declare this a temporary victory!
6/27: For COMPLETE transparency, I have attached screenshots of the invoices for each billboard, including a screenshot of the total deposits I have received from GoFundMe. In all, there is $6,943 left in our campaign bucket. Send me your ideas on what we can do with the remaining funds. If you have marketing experience, please let me know. I want this last billboard to go viral. Or we can keep the other billboards up longer. Let me know!
Here are the total # of deposits I have received from GoFundMe. If anyone wants an official bank document, contact me. For now, I am not putting my personal bank information on here for people to see.
6/26 part 2: I just want you all to know I hear you and your concerns with this RTO nonsense. We’ve got other unions who were able to push back RTO for at least another YEAR and before anyone says, “Well, SEIU isn’t in negotiation year right now” let me just say, “WHO gives a sh**? Doesn’t mean we can’t do something NOW.”
The billboards weren't meant to be a silver bullet but they did get media attention and people talking. And it also proved that there are people willing to collaborate and get things done.
Like all of you, I have contacted news agencies, Assemblymembers, environmental groups, Newsom’s office, posted on social media, gave everything I have. There is a third of SEIU members who are eligible for telework yet SEIU isn’t fighting for THEM, too. Umm, last I checked, they were dues paying members as well.
If anyone is interested, DM me and let's do something. I want telework back 100%. I'm willing to strike or do whatever it takes. I have plenty of time banked. We need representation.
6/26: Got a mention in Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/100064844856524/posts/pfbid0225cjvbMcdD1K5RXpFP6KADpqvJwq8DK6f1bfo814ecqDbA2EFuXKhU6ZYByRFNtfl/?mibextid=wwXIfr
So is SEIU going to fight for telework? Let me know your thoughts and ideas for the 4th VIRAL billboard.
6/25: We MET OUR GOAL! Thank you SO much, everyone! I really appreciate it! Can’t wait to start collaborating on the 4th billboard. We need something that will go VIRAL and be more attention grabbing. I want more people to notice them when they drive by, haha. Will have some updates later. Again, thank you all!
6/20: Some more glamour shots! https://www.reddit.com/r/CAStateWorkers/s/dGmessyK1L
6/17: Beauty-full!
ALSO, heard that RTO may be pushed back to January 2026. Let’s hope this is true and Newsom announces this next week! Extending RTO to January will give us PLENTY of time to coordinate and plan effective ways to reverse this mandate.
6/16: Third billboard is officially up! In a better location, so when people are stuck in traffic they’re going to see it! If you can, take a photo and send it to news outlets. Also, don’t forget to call Newsom’s office. Do NOT GIVE UP. He won’t be governor much longer—if we keep the pressure up, the next person who runs for governor will reverse this stupid mandate.
Join in on the Reddit discussion and let me know your thoughts.
6/15: Third billboard will be here tomorrow! I can’t wait—so excited! This location has way more viewers!
6/11: We’re getting closer to the due date! Excited! Thank you all again for your support!
For all those in L.A. affected by the protests/ICE/LAPD, I hope you stay safe! If you can, donate to https://www.lafoodbank.org/donate/disaster-relief/ or another local charity, if possible. I wouldn't donate to any PACs. Tell Newsom to hit up his real-estate buddies to fund his PAC.
Speaking of, I received a text today:
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Gavin Newsom here, asking if there is ANYTHING I can say to convince you to donate to help me continue to fight back against the attacks and threats from the Trump administration.
I can't do this alone.
If everyone getting this text donated even $10 or $20, we'd have the resources to continue the fight against the Trump administration's attacks and go on the offense.
So please - if standing up to Trump matters to you, please donate to my Campaign for Democracy PAC today:
Thank you. - Gavin Newsom
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I refuse to give this man ANY money, I would donate to local charities if I was you.
Sure, he is getting his golden boy PR moment right now, but don’t be fooled. Deep down, he’s just California’s version of Trump in better hair gel. He cozies up to billionaires, funnels money into his vanity PAC, and pushes working people back into offices while pretending it’s “for the economy.” If you’re thinking about donating to his PAC, maybe ask yourself if you enjoy funding performative progressivism with a side of corporate obedience. He doesn’t work for us—he literally wants to take our raises away and make us spend our meager earnings on parking, gas, and over-priced food items.
I really detest this man.
6/10: Billboard was approved by this new vendor! It will be located on Business 80 (see link below). I can’t WAIT for many more people to see it! This is going to be amazing! Hopefully more people will call Newsom’s office.
Thank you all again and if they post the billboard up sooner, I’ll send you updates!
6/6: Location #11 it is! Business 80 WL .6mi s/o Fulton. This location has over 1,200,000 impressions per week! Great job, guys! It will be up June 16th!
Side note: I’ve only heard from a few people who suggested we put a billboard up in L.A. Maybe I’ll make a post again and people can vote.
For those who are just now hearing about this campaign, below is a timeline of events for this GoFundMe:
→ April 19: Funded!
→ May 12: First Billboard
→ June 2: Second Billboard
→ June 16: Third Billboard
I'm truly grateful again for everyone's donations and input. And please remember to contact your reps, the news, the media, your union. Let's keep the pressure on these people.
6/5: Wow, $28,000! You guys are so amazing! Thank you so much! I’ve been in contact with other vendors to see if we can get more visible locations. Take a look at this PDF and let me know what you think!
6/3: Some information sharing:
I can’t thank you all enough for your contributions! Please join in the Reddit discussion and give me your thoughts.
Here is a quick video:
6/2: Second billboard should be up! I will be driving by it some time today to take a picture. Also ran into some interesting commentary from a Matthew Fleming at The Sacramento Bee on why he doesn’t support state workers. I won’t link to that garbage but I will say:
“I have to go into the office, so should you.”
Cool, and some people still churn butter; doesn’t mean it’s smart. Some people had to get cavity fillings without Novocaine. Should we bring back leeches too, just to be fair? Think about the future and progress, and think about your children, who may one day want to become a government worker.
Don’t be mad at state workers for fighting to keep remote work. Be mad at the policymakers forcing thousands to waste gas, time, and money for appearances.
This isn’t about fairness. It’s about control.
5/30: Let's find a location for our third billboard! So far, I have 5 options until more vendors get back to me. I'm also contacting other places to get their pricing and location info. For now, I have this. Tell me what you think! Happy Friday!
5/27: If you haven’t yet, please add your input for what the third and fourth billboard should say! We can also get a digital billboard. Or what do you think about putting a billboard up in L.A.?
Let me know your thoughts!
5/26: Thank you all so much again! Do you have any ideas for a third billboard design? Please leave comments or suggestions on this page:
5/24: Yay! New goal reached! Thank you so much, my Reddit family, and thank you all who donated. Second billboard is around the corner. It’s the same billboard design, and I will be posting updates here and on Reddit, for the exact coordinates and location.
Our collaboration and hard work is paying off! My department personally has pushed back the RTO date. Let’s go one step further and eliminate RTO altogether! Why do we need to go into an office?! It’s ridiculous.
I’ve been reading so many of your personal stories and it truly breaks my heart how much this EO is going to upend our lives and cost us even more money. On top of that, Trumpi’s “Big Beautiful Bill” may very well pass in the Senate, which guarantees the greatest transfer of wealth from the middle-class to the richest 1% in the HISTORY of the U.S.
Gavin has proven he’s no different (skip to 13:06 to see his proposed tax breaks for corporations):
The streets are cluttered with garbage, our freeways are a hot mess, homelessness permeates throughout our city, we’re all one paycheck or one major illness away from being homeless. But yes—let’s give more money to the rich, because that trickle down economics has really proven it works.
So while Trumpi’s team is siphoning wealth upward through tax cuts, Gavin’s ensuring workers stay leashed to their desks to prop up commercial real estate tycoons. It’s like two sides of the same gold-plated coin.
Trumpi’s “Big Beautiful Bill” is a love letter to billionaires.
Newsom’s RTO is a footnote that says, “P.S. The working class will show up on-site to help fund it.”
Same exploitation, different flavor.
Want to fight back? Support the billboards. Expose the rot.
And let’s remind them that we see through the show—and we’re not buying front row tickets.
Will post later about third billboard details soon.
Thank you all again!
5/15: New goal of $25,000. Let’s get more billboards up and let’s keep them up longer! (I also plan to post all of the invoices/contracts on here for complete transparency. ALL funds raised for this campaign go solely to the billboards. Any funds leftover, we can discuss where they should go.)
Thank you all so much for your support! With Newsom’s May Revision proposing pay cuts, it’s time to hit back where it hurts—loudly and publicly. Who does he think he is?! This fight isn’t over.
I’m working to license some of Newsom’s most absurd photos (no more AI). Found a few gems that are deliciously cringe. Fingers crossed for approval!
Have experience with digital billboards? Reach out! Also, let me know: should we keep the messaging bold and simple, or add more detail?
Contact me @RTOTruth
5/12: First billboard is up! Second one coming 6/2. Click here for more info.
Stay tuned!
5/9: Only two more days until the first billboard is up! I’m very excited. The Sacramento Bee will be covering it, so I’ll be sure to update this with the link! Again, thank you all so much!
5/5: Wow, I can’t believe how much money we raised! This is definitely going to help get our message across! The Sacramento Bee (again) and CBS 13 have reached out to me and there will be another article published this week. Give me some of your thoughts on what I can add in the interview. Call those Assemblymembers!
I love you all and will read each and every one of your messages.
5/3: I’m deeply moved and beyond grateful for your generous support. Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart. Because of you, I will keep fighting and protesting this outrageous, draconian RTO mandate with everything I’ve got. This isn’t just my fight—it’s ours. I’m thinking of each and every one of you.
Some information sharing: Reddit CAStateworkers Thread
4/29: Major update! Why only have one billboard when we can have FOUR? Let’s blast Newsom’s face all over Sacramento. More info: More information on Reddit.
4/28: Majority of Reddit users want the billboard advertised on 5/12. I let the company know that’s the date. Can’t wait to see it!
4/25: Update! Got three tentative dates for when the billboard will be posted:
- 5/12
- 6/2
- 6/16
All three locations are along I-80. I’ll get the exact coordinates and put up a poll on Reddit so we can all agree on a date and place. Thank you!
4/24: Billboard design was officially approved by the company!
And per some of your suggestions, I decided to change the goal to $20,000. We can most definitely rent a second billboard space or explore other options to get our message across. Let me know!
4/22: We got a mention in the Sac Bee! Also, I’ve been receiving messages and ideas on what to do with the extra cash. We can opt to advertise the billboard longer or put up another billboard in a high visibility area? What do you think?
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH AGAIN.
4/21: What a crazy week! We’re almost to $15,000! Now The Sacramento Bee has even reached out to me. I’ve gotten so many wonderful samples for the billboard designs by talented artists. I’ll be posting some up on Reddit this week. I want to keep the original message the same, since all of you donated to that original cause. Getting closer! Thank you all so much!
4/19 Update 2: KCRA News has reached out to me! I let them know where the billboard will be set up and when I get an official date they can be there to cover it.
4/19 Update: Holy crap — we did it! Should we still keep going and add a second billboard? THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! Will provide further updates as we go along! This is truly amazing. Let’s continue to shame these politicians.
Help Us Fund an Anti-RTO Billboard in Sacramento Before July 1st - Fight Newsom’s Pollution!
The Return-to-Office (RTO) mandate is forcing thousands of California workers back into traffic, pollution, and longer days, for no measurable gain in productivity or service.
Meanwhile, our unions, our leaders, and our elected representatives are silent.
They’re not standing up for us.
So it’s time we take a STAND.
We’re organizing a bold, visible response: a billboard in a high-traffic Sacramento area calling out the damage caused by this mandate and the complete disregard for working people’s well-being.
We need $9,800 to cover:
• Billboard production
• Leasing for one month
• Installation and management fees
This is totally achievable.
If just 900 of us donate $10, we make it happen.
I’ll share updates.
I’m TIRED of not having our unions and leadership back us up!!!! Let’s make it loud and clear what Newsom is doing to help put money back into the pockets of rich real estate tycoons.
Let’s stop waiting for someone else to do the right thing. Let’s send a message they can’t ignore.
#NoToRTO
#TakeAStand
#WeDeserveBetter
Organizer
Emily D
Organizer
Sacramento, CA