SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A broadly smiling California Gov. Gavin Newsom signedupwith about 2 lots joyous, cheering farmworkers camped outdoors the state Capitol Wednesday to indication one of the most controversial costs priorto him this year, reversing course on a procedure to aid farmworkers unionize after President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris supported it.
The White House assistance pinned Newsom in a hard political position after his workplace revealed priorto Democratic legislators sentout him the expense that he would not indication it.
But Newsom authorized the expense just after he, the United Farm Workers and the California Labor Federation concurred on clarifying language to be thoughtabout throughout next year’s legal session to address his issues around execution and ballot stability.
The brand-new law provides California farmworkers, who harvest much of the country’s fruit and veggies, brand-new methods to vote in union elections beyond physical ballot locations on farm home. Proponents state that would aid safeguard employees from union busting and other intimidation, while owners state such a system doesnothave required safeguards to avoid scams.
The arrangement consistsof a cap on the number of unionization petitions over the next 5 years and will enable state regulators to muchbetter safeguard employee privacy and security, Newsom’s workplace stated. It would do away with an choice for employees to unionize through mail-in ballot that is included in the present language, however keeps a “card check” election procedure.
“SíVERTISEMENT, se puede,” the farmworkers shouted as Newsom signed the costs, echoing the UFW’s longtime motto — approximately, “Yes, we can” in Spanish.
The union led a weekslong summerseason march up the state to Sacramento, where farmworkers and their advocates rallied outside the Capitol, some outdoorcamping exterior through September in an effort to win Newsom’s assistance.
“The vigil and the march were all worth it, duetothefactthat he came out and signed for us,” farmworker Teresa Maldonado stated through a translator.
The march expense Xochilt Nunez her fruit-picking task, numerous toenails and left her with blistered feet. But sh