In case you missed it, in a recent Sacramento Bee opinion piece, Barry Jardini, Executive Director of the California Disability Services Association (CDSA), highlights how non-profit organizations have become major targets of predatory Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuits.

California agricultural employers, including many Western Growers members, have also been targets of PAGA-enabled shakedown lawsuits over minor Labor Code violations – to the tune of $158 million over the past 10 years, with an average case settlement of $875,000.

Quick recap: In 2022, Western Growers teamed up with the California New Car Dealers Association, Cal Chamber and the California Restaurant Association to support a signature gathering campaign that successfully qualified PAGA reform for the November 2024 ballot. Since then, our coalition has grown, and while there is a measure on the ballot in November, the coalition is pursuing a parallel effort to achieve PAGA reform in the state Legislature which could preclude the need for the ballot measure.

Western Growers has provided significant funding for, and sits on the Executive Committee of, Fix PAGA, a diverse coalition of businesses, non-profits and industries engaged in a broad advocacy campaign, including mail and targeted digital advertising, to educate legislators and voters on why PAGA reform is needed.

The Fix PAGA coalition has also been meeting with legislators and staff to discuss needed reforms. The coalition has received positive feedback from lawmakers who understand the current PAGA system is being abused and are interested in finding a better, fairer way for workers and employers.

As support for PAGA reform continues to gain traction, we will keep our members updated on any meaningful developments. If you’re interested in joining the coalition, visit: www.FixPAGA.com