There is a debate raging in America. The debate is driven by the COVID 19 virus but the issues for workers are always similar. I am extremely irritated by the divisive dynamics of the arguments. But America thinks this is necessary. The debate rages between the Health and Safety of American workers caused by the […]
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The Coronavirus Message: America Needs Universal Paid Sick Leave
The global coronavirus pandemic is walloping California, and Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered all 40 million residents to ‘shelter in place’ except for travel to purchase groceries and prescription drugs. He also urged Californians to practice ‘social distancing’ from non-family population members. The governor banned large public gatherings and ordered all schools and non-essential businesses to close. The legislature appropriated $1 billion to […]
Read MoreWorkers’ Bill of Rights During COVID-19 Crisis
The COVID-19 crisis is devastating workers in every industry. This crisis is also exposing the gaping holes in our social safety net and laying bare just how rigged this economy is against workers and our families and how tilted it is to the wealthy and powerful. It’s time for decision-makers to hear from us about […]
Read MoreGig Companies Shamelessly Use COVID-19 Pandemic to Strip Basic Protections from Workers on Crisis’ Front Lines
Oakland, CA — The California Labor Federation condemned Uber/Lyft– the multi-billion corporations behind the so-called “Protect App-Based Drivers & Services coalition” that began filing signatures today for a ballot measure to rip basic rights and protections away from workers who have become frontline responders amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Statement by California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer […]
Read MoreCoronavirus Outbreak Resources and Information for Workers
The Coronavirus outbreak has us all on edge. As the crisis grows, California’s unions are responding to ensure workers are protected. We’re working with the Newsom Administration to ensure workers have the information they need to protect themselves and their families. The first thing to note is that all California employees have the opportunity to […]
Read MoreCalifornia Unions Say Yes on Prop 13 – The School Safety Bond
There’s nothing more important than safe schools to provide a healthy learning environment. That’s exactly why the California Labor Federation, unions, parents and teachers support the Prop 13 school facilities bond on the March 3 ballot. Look, we’ve all seen the deterioration older schools face. Asbestos. Lead paint. Structures that aren’t earthquake safe. These deteriorating […]
Read MoreBlack History Month: Yvonne Walker: Celebrating hard-earned rights
Voting gives us a voice. It gives us a seat at the table. It’s the great equalizer to money and power, and has been a central pillar to our democracy since the inception of the United States. But due to centuries of institutional and socialized racism in America, African Americans did not have the right […]
Read MoreUnions an Integral Part of Dr. King’s Dream
“In the days to come, organized labor will increase its importance in the destinies of Negroes. Automation is imperceptibly but inexorably producing dislocations, skimming off unskilled labor from the industrial force. The displaced are flowing into proliferating service occupations. These enterprises are traditionally unorganized and provide low wage scales with longer hours. The Negroes pressed […]
Read MoreGig Companies’ Lawsuit Meritless, California Unions Vow to Defend Landmark AB 5 Law
AB 5 is the most important state law in decades to address widespread inequality by raising wages for workers and holding corporations accountable. Rather than comply with the law to provide workers with basic protections and economic security, big corporations embarked on a spending frenzy to overturn it. Today’s lawsuit by Uber and Postmates is […]
Read MoreLabor Department Releases New Q&A on Landmark Law, AB 5
One of the most important laws to go into effect in California on Jan. 1, 2020 is AB 5, which codified the Dynamex California Supreme Court case to clarify who is considered an independent contractor under state law. This bill addresses one of the biggest problems existing in today’s economy: the rampant misclassification of workers […]
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