Could This New Bill Create A Powershift For Los Angeles Workers?

Photo byJoe HollandonUnsplash

LOS ANGELES – In a landmark move to ensure fairness and efficiency in labor dispute resolutions, Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur introduced AB 2889, a bill designed to revolutionize how labor disputes are handled within Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles.

"AB 2889 is about making labor dispute resolutions more efficient, effective, and fair," said Zbur, speaking before the assembly. The bill aims to address the unique challenges faced by unions in Los Angeles, where current laws grant employers undue leverage not seen elsewhere in California.

Endorsed by prominent labor organizations such as the Union of American Physicians and Dentists, SEIU California, and AFSCME California, the bill seeks to extend the oversight jurisdiction of the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) to Los Angeles. Currently, Los Angeles has a local alternative to PERB oversight, which Zbur argues creates an imbalance.

Zbur pointed to a legislative oversight from 2011 when SB 857 was enacted to curb union-busting activities. A drafting error excluded the City and County of Los Angeles from these protections, leaving local unions vulnerable. "Activities like membership rallies, wearing union buttons, or participating in strike authorization votes could lead to unjust damages," Zbur noted. "The right to collectively bargain is meaningless if workers can't engage in these activities."

AB 2889 proposes that PERB be granted exclusive jurisdiction over injunctive relief requests for the City and County of Los Angeles, as it does for other public agencies in the state. The bill also clarifies that local employee relations entities in Los Angeles cannot award damages from strikes, a responsibility that would be transferred to PERB.

The bill aims to ensure that public sector unions in Los Angeles enjoy the same protections from union-busting tactics as other unions across California. "This bill has no registered opposition," Zbur emphasized, highlighting the broad support for AB 2889.

However, not everyone might agree with the provisions of AB 2889. Some stakeholders might argue that the bill reduces local control by transferring jurisdiction to the state-level PERB, undermining local authority. Employers in Los Angeles might be concerned about the increased power and protections granted to unions, potentially leading to more strikes or labor actions. Additionally, there are concerns about the economic impact of the bill, particularly if it results in more frequent or prolonged labor disputes affecting public services and the broader economy.

Los Angeles citizens and workers will be closely monitoring the progress of AB 2889, hopeful for a future where labor rights are uniformly protected and labor practices are fair for all.