California State Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood)

On Oct. 3, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 288, a new law designed to strengthen labor protections and give workers an alternative path to defend their rights when the federal government does not act.

The law, authored by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), allows employees to bring cases to the state’s Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) if the National Labor Relations Board fails to address unfair labor practices. Supporters say the measure is a direct response to what they see as a weakening of worker protections at the federal level.

“California is a proud labor state, and we will continue standing up for the workers that keep our state running and our economy booming,” said Newsom.

McKinnor called the law an essential safeguard for workers. “The current President is attempting to take a wrecking ball to public and private sector employees’ fundamental right to join a union and collectively bargain for fair wages, benefits and safe working conditions. This is unacceptable and frankly, un-American,” she said.

The measure also establishes a PERB Enforcement Fund, which will be supported by civil penalties collected from employers found to have violated labor laws. Backers say the fund ensures the board has the resources to enforce the law and hold employers accountable.

Labor leaders praised the move as historic. “We commend Governor Gavin Newsom for standing up for California workers and our fundamental right to collectively bargain,” said Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO, which represents 1,300 unions with 2.3 million members. “This is the most significant labor law reform in nearly a century. California workers will no longer be forced to rely on a failing federal agency when they join together to unionize.”

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Article By: Bo Tefu, California Black Media