Walz orders WFH rollback for Minnesota state workers

• Those who live over 75 miles from their primary office are exempt.

What they're saying: "Having more state employees in the office means that collaboration can happen more quickly and state agencies can build strong organizational cultures more easily," the DFL governor said in a statement.

The other side: Leaders of unions representing tens of thousands of state employees blasted Walz's move, with AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Bart Andersen calling the governor's decision to "impose sweeping workplace policy changes without engaging our union and labor partners first" both "unacceptable" and "an act of blatant disrespect."

• "Let's call this what it really is: This is a unilateral move by a bad boss without consultation or consideration of the very staff he claims to care deeply about investing in," MAPE President Megan Dayton added. "I never thought the same public worker attacks and micromanaging mannerisms of our federal administration would be mirrored in Minnesota."

The big picture: The telework policy change comes amid growing concerns about the state and future of downtown St. Paul.

• The governor's office said the move will support "the economic vitality of office districts like downtown Saint Paul, bringing foot traffic back to businesses and public spaces."

The bottom line: While about 60% of state employees, including State Patrol troopers and snow plow drivers, already work in person, the shift could bring droves of workers back to the capital city several days a week.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with responses from union leaders.