Joined by advocates and farmworkers outside the state Capitol, Gavin Newsom signed legislation Thursday that expands union rights for farmworkers, after the United Farm Workers (UFW) and the California Federation of Labor agreed in a letter to clarify language to be passed during next year’s legislative session to address Governor Newsom’s concerns about the implementation and integrity of the vote.
“California’s farmworkers are the lifeblood of our state and have the fundamental right to unionize and advocate for themselves in the workplace,” Newsom said. “Our state has been defined by heroic farmworker activism, championed by American icons like Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Larry Itliong. California is proud to support the next generation of leaders carrying on this movement.”
Assemblymember Mark Stone’s AB 2183 bill creates new ways for farmworkers to vote in a union election, including options for mail-in ballots and authorization cards sent to the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board, in addition to existing in-person voting.
The supplemental agreement between the Newsom Administration, the UFW and the California Federation of Labor includes a limit on the number of card check requests over the next five years, and will allow the ALRB to adequately protect worker confidentiality and security.
This additional agreement would be codified into law next year and would be supported by both management and the union.
According to a statement from the Governor's Office, this legislation also builds on state action to support workers and promote workplace safety.
Earlier this year, Governor Newsom signed legislation to empower fast food workers with a new mechanism to enact wage and labor protections to support their health, safety, and well-being.
In 2021, the Governor also signed legislation to protect warehouse workers from unsafe production quotas and legislation to end the exploitation of piece-rate compensation for garment industry workers.
Newsom also signed a measure directing Cal/OSHA to create an advisory committee to recommend state policies to protect domestic workers and a bill to ensure that workers with disabilities receive fair wages.
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