Even though the new law of AB 5 is not effective until January 1, some workers are already feeling the repercussions. AB 5 was created by union enthusiast and lobbyist puppet Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez.
On the surface, the law claims to remove the freelancing industry as a way to give workers more rights. In reality, AB 5 is just another way Assemblywoman Gonzalez can benefit her special interest groups and completely ignore her constituents.
The first industry to feel the consequences of AB 5 is freelance journaling. For example, on Monday, Vox Media announced that hundreds of contracts for freelance journalists and editors who maintained the Vox-run SB Nation blog would be terminated in compliance with AB 5. Effective in 2020, 200 SB Nation freelance writers will be out of a job and replaced with 20 part-time and full-time employees. Yet, it comes with great irony given Vox journalists classified the approval of AB 5 as a victory, only to have the law lead to their layoffs.
Peak Vox pic.twitter.com/vmpuhDmBKt
— Matt Mackowiak (@MattMackowiak) December 17, 2019
Moreover, approximately 2,000 other SB Nation freelancers received an email warning them of the insecurity of their job. As a part of AB 5, in order to maintain freelance status, the writers can only have 35 articles a year published. Not only is that an easy standard for the writers to pass, but it aims to put a limit on their freedom of speech as a freelance writer. Additionally, Vox left the 2,000 freelancers with two options: either apply to become a full-time employee or continue to write with no compensation.
Freelance work was a way for California residents to have an income with flexible hours and the capacity to work for other places, if necessary. Now, companies may now be very reluctant to hire California workers considering the extra paperwork and legal responsibilities that follow the workers as a consequence of AB 5. So not only is AB 5 removing jobs for freelance workers but it is now prohibiting their ability to find a new job as well. These first initial consequences of AB 5 illustrate why it was a mistake and serve as a glimpse into the damage to come in 2020.
