California Labor Federation
Yesterday I went to Sacramento to join folks from the Organization United for Respect (OUR Walmart) campaign for a Lobby Day. It was one of those days where a big group gets together and knocks the doors of those legislators who have sworn to make laws that serve and protect the needs of their California constituents. In a coordinated effort we split up, each sub-group taking its designated floor of the Capitol by storm.
We all remember “Marv” from Home Alone– the not-so-clever “Wet Bandit” burglar, played by Daniel Stern. Thanks to great acting and the several talented makeup and special effects artists— we all laughed as 10 year old Macaulay Culkin repeatedly beat the ever-living-crap out of Stern and his co-star Joe Pesci. The ability to deliver this kind of pain-free magic to families the world over, generation after generation, is what California’s movie industry is famous for. And each and every worker on the production contributes to the magic we see on-screen. But recently, that magic–and the livelihoods of the workers who bring it to life– have been under attack.
Apple, Google and other tech giants in the Silicon Valley are booming. But their security officers are missing out, struggling to support their families in the shadow of the industry’s lopsided success.
Corporate America has a new plan: to use labor contractors and staffing agencies to supply workers with no strings attached. Look no further than Taylor Farms in Tracy, California, where the company is using multiple staffing agencies to avoid any responsibility to its workers. Taylor Farms workers are standing up for their rights and are working to pass AB 1897, sponsored by the California Labor Federation and the Teamsters Union, to hold companies accountable for labor abuses of temporary workers.
Last week, Teamster General President James Hoffa joined the Taylor Farms workers in solidarity at the Capitol and again at a rally in Tracy to support their fight for justice at Taylor Farms and advocate for the passage of AB 1897. We asked President Hoffa a few questions about his trip to California.
The bill that would extend three paid sick days to all California workers and has been heralded as a win-win for businesses and public health, cleared a major hurdle with its passage in the State Assembly today. AB 1522 was introduced by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez and passed handily and now moves to the Senate.
Having to choose between going to work to keep food on the table for your family and neglecting your health or the needs of sick child is not a choice people should have to make. But every day, over 5 million working Californians who lack access to paid sick days, have this unfair choice hanging over their heads.
You might be surprised to learn that more flowers get sent on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year. Yep, that’s right– all the romantic Valentine’s Day arrangements, the spirited Christmas poinsettias, and even the blue irises at Hanukah don’t hold a candle to the floral frenzy we shower on our mamas every second Sunday of May. As beautiful as our blossoms might be, isn’t it time to give mom something that will benefit her long after the flowers have wilted? Well here’s your chance.
