California governor approves farmworker unionization law [View all]

Source: Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A broadly smiling California Gov. Gavin Newsom joined about two dozen jubilant, cheering farmworkers camped outside the state Capitol Wednesday to sign one of the most contentious bills before him this year, reversing course on a measure to help farmworkers unionize after President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris supported it.

The White House support pinned Newsom in a difficult political position after his office announced before Democratic lawmakers sent him the bill that he would not sign it.

But Newsom approved the bill only after he, the United Farm Workers and the California Labor Federation agreed on clarifying language to be considered during next year’s legislative session to address his concerns around implementation and voting integrity.

The new law gives California farmworkers, who harvest much of the nation’s fruit and vegetables, new ways to vote in union elections beyond physical polling places on farm property. Proponents say that would help protect workers from union busting and other intimidation, while owners say such a system lacks necessary safeguards to prevent fraud.

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By DON THOMPSON
an hour ago


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-california-kamala-harris-gavin-newsom-d9ec4ee77d9430c4bf8ec7b17b68c3fc

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Source: Fresno Bee

Gavin Newsom signs farmworker union law after pressure from UFW, Biden and more Democrats

BY MATHEW MIRANDA
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 5:09 PM

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law on Wednesday that will allow farmworkers to vote by mail in union elections, one year after he vetoed a similar version of the bill.

Newsom joined labor leaders at a United Farm Workers vigil in front of the Capitol to sign the law, Assembly Bill 2183. He then handed a copy of the bill to Xochitl Nunez, a farmworker from Orosi.

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His signature on the law marks a significant change of course for Newsom, whose office as recently as August said the governor planned to veto the bill unless its supporters agreed to more changes.

Instead, Democrats overwhelmingly passed the bill in Assembly and Senate. UFW, meanwhile led a 335-mile march to the Capitol and drew support from other unions in urging Newsom to support the bill.

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Read more: https://www.fresnobee.com/news/california/article265562826.html