Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio on Saturday spoke with union members of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters in San Diego about her challenges as an immigrant and a single mother of two, the opportunities America has given her family and other immigrants, and the importance of trade unions in building a better future.
One of the members that welcomed her was Covina resident Manny Salcido, Business Representative/Delegate for
Carpenters Local 213.
Assemblywoman Rubio has introduced AB 1654, which will end “nuisance” lawsuits that are being filed over minor issues resulting in extensive litigation that are not benefitting workers.
The bill will waive the California Private Attorneys General Act, known as PAGA, within the construction industry for those employees and employers that are covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement when that agreement expressly provides for:
• Wages, hours of work, working conditions, premium wage rates for overtime, and
• Provides an hourly wage of not less than 30% more than the minimum wage, and
• Provides a grievance and binding arbitration procedure to redress violations, and
• Expressly waives the requirements of PAGA in clear and unambiguous terms, and
• Authorizes the arbitrator to award any and all remedies otherwise available under the PAGA.