Millions of workers are living a life of insecurity because corporations refuse to abide by the law and offer the basic protections that come with being recognized as an employee. With today’s passage of AB 5 in the state Assembly, these workers are one step closer to the justice on the job they deserve.

We commend bill author Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego)  and members of the Assembly who voted for the bill for their advocacy of fundamental worker protections like a minimum wage, overtime pay, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and the right to collectively bargain.  This measure would immediately benefit working people who are living on the edge every single day as a result of being misclassified as independent contractors.

AB 5 and last year’s Dynamex California Supreme Court ruling it seeks to codify, are essential to rebuilding California’s middle class. The California labor movement will continue to strongly advocate for this landmark measure as it heads to the Senate. We urge Senators to follow the Assembly’s lead by passing this measure to provide an opportunity for a better life to millions of workers who have been cheated out of basic protections on the job.