CA employers and Gov. Arnold seek to repeal innovative labor law

[pmbryant]

I found this via labor law expert Nathan Newman's blog:

Backed by Arnie, California employers are trying to gut an innovative law passed last year that gives employees and labor groups greater ability to enforce labor laws in the courts.

Instead of having to wait until an underfunded labor commission looks into a violation, the law allows labor groups to take the case directly to court and collect 25% of the fine usually paid to the state. This is crucial because employers often get away with flagrantly violating labor laws because no one has the staff to prosecute them:

(snip)

Passage of this law was one of the great achievements for workers rights in California last year and is a model that other states will hopefully copy.

Which is why the business groups want it repealed before it spreads-- you never know, you might actually have businesses forced to obey the law.

Here is the online newspaper article on what is happening:
From the Sacramento Bee: Feb 9 2004

Employers seek relief on lawsuits

Groups aim to repeal a law extending penalties for workplace violations.

By Loretta Kalb -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 a.m. PST Monday, February 9, 2004

It's been dubbed the "sue your boss" law, and employer groups say they're already moving to change the statute that's barely 40 days old.

Senate Bill 796, signed into law by Gov. Gray Davis in the waning days of his administration, makes it easier - and potentially more lucrative - for workers to sue employers over labor code violations.

"It hands them a much bigger club," in fighting employers over alleged workplace violations, said James Cahalan, a Sacramento labor law attorney who represents employers.

(snip)

But the California Chamber of Commerce doesn't see things that way. It has submitted draft language to its staff attorneys for a bill to "provide some relief" from the measure, said chamber lobbyist Julianne Broyles.

(snip)

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration has told the Legislature that the governor would like the law repealed.

(snip)

More: http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/8240096p-9170949c.html

[rogerashton]

1. impeach the ... um ... terminator

n/t

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

2. Hey! Nathan Newman was almost my roommate!

When I was looking for a place a few years ago, NN had one for rent. Just a funny coincidence.

[cosmicdot]

3. what part of the 21st century don't they understand?

"innovative" law ... I'm sure the terminology scares the dickens out of some corporate crook