SACRAMENTO (2UG) – For the first time in state history, the California State Assembly has approved legislation by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D – Inglewood) and 42 bi-partisan co-authors to give non-supervisorial legislative employees the choice to join a union. AB 1 (McKinnor)’s 65-3 vote would give these employees the choice to form a union and collectively bargain for wages, benefits and working conditions, regardless of political affiliation.
While the state Legislature commonly considers laws affecting public and private employees in California, the Legislature itself remains the only branch of state government that does not allow their employees to have the choice to unionize. Legislative staff serve as at-will employees that are exempt from state civil service laws and denied the right to collectively bargain for wages, benefits and working conditions. This has led to generations of legislative employees being subject to low and inequitable pay and subject to hostile work environments with no recourse other than being forced to seek employment outside of the Legislature.
Under AB 1, the Senate Rules Committee, the Assembly Rules Committee or the Joint Legislative Rules Committee (the administrative offices of the Legislature) would establish procedures to implement the collective bargaining process with the employees’ chosen union. Wages and benefits would be negotiated within the budgetary restrictions approved by voters through Proposition 140.
McKinnor, a former legislative employee herself was an original signer of the We Said Enough letter in 2017, which sparked the Me Too movement to address workplace sexual harassment, retaliation and intimidation within the California Legislature. AB 1 builds upon that work to give legislative staff greater say to create a safe, diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.
“Legislative staff aren’t looking for special treatment – they are looking for the same dignity and respect afforded to all represented workers,” said Assemblymember McKinnor. “To the staff in our district offices and Capitol offices – including our dedicated committee staff – that honorably serve the people of the State of California everyday – know this – we see you and we respect you. And with AB 1, we are taking action to make sure that current and future legislative staff, regardless of their Member’s political affiliation, are afforded a safe, equitable and fair opportunity to build a noble career in public service.”
AB 1 now heads to the State Senate for further consideration.
2 Comments
So let’s think this through shall we? We, as voters, get to say no more of your craziness every election – that was “get to” does not mean we pay attention enough to the laws these senators and representatives inflict on us …But is new idea, assuming we do vote for someone new to fill the Senate or Assembly chair, (someone with ideas that work in our favor) will, inherit the staff that worked with /aided and perhaps even drafted the legislation of boss we just voted out of office because of the legislation “they” created or supported!!!!!
Yeah, that will keep the aids in control rather than as the concept of democracy suggests residents be in control….!!!!!
One example would be a a local staffer recently told residents his elected official did not have ANY control over an item she drafted WHAT than why are we paying her one red cent?? Is it to smile pretty for the photo ops???
Here is the deal these staff positions actually must (should have to hopefully not like the friend family playmate pattern we see in city offices) submit applications for the job as an “elected staff” knowing that the elected position is for a limited term. Yes LIMITED NOT – LIFETIME!!
There are thousands of other jobs one can apply for that are not impacting residents negatively! Why not apply for one of those? Taxpayers are sick of picking up the tab for those in unions who function either very-little-at-all or against our interest. If they want a lifetime guarantee employment in government perhaps it is because they know their talents are limited and they could not last long where functionality and accountability determines length of employment. Consider it has been because of legislation by often non-business savvy elected that many high paying employers have fled the state. AAnd often the staffers acting as gate keepers to disallow residents the opportunity to speak to their electeds.Does Anyone remember when the Sacramento staff knew they were not the people who told residents what to do but were to enact legislation the people wanted. Inglewood is a prime example of Salaries out of control becoming a never ending cancer…….NO Assistant in any government position should make close to that of the President of the United States!
Lest you think she was the only overpaid think again.
So, u wanna be in government and yet u find the government wages too low? Government are the highest paid people!?!? Now they want MORE money?? They should get less not more. Of course government is always going to vote themselves pay raises and guess who gets to pay? Didn’t they just gift themselves a bunch of pelatone bikes?? Everyone.. the taxpayers who paid for those didn’t get any. But they did. Where does it end