Yesterday, the Senate Labor Committee passed AB 1066, a bill that would decrease the existing overtime threshold levels for California farmworkers. Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez resurrected the UFW-sponsored bill that was killed in the Assembly (formerly AB 2757) on June 3 of this year. The bill now advances to the Senate Appropriations Committee. A hearing has been scheduled for August 1 when the legislature reconvenes following the summer recess period which begins tomorrow.
The bill’s advancement puts Western Growers’ members on high alert. Members need to take immediate action by requesting an in-person meeting with their own senator and assembly member in the district offices during the recess period in July to express why this legislation is bad for farmworkers and for farming operations. Although we will be following up in the coming days with an Action Alert, it is important that members of the legislature hear from growers directly as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, please contact Matthew Allen at (916) 446-1435.