Assembly Bill 2932 has stalled in the legislature after it failed to meet the April 29th deadline for legislative policy committees. The bill would have created a four-day workweek, the first in the nation. The bill would have mandated that any worker working more than 32 hours a week would get overtime pay.
The bill was introduced by Assemblymembers Evan Low (D-Campbell) and Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens). Garcia released a statement on Monday saying, “ I am disappointed that AB 2932 is not moving forward this year, but we must continue to elevate the conversation about the 4 day work week and in general ensuring our workforce has a better work life balance.” Garcia continued in her statement saying, “It doesn’t make sense that we are still holding onto a work schedule that served the industrial revolution. It’s long overdue that this progress is shared with our workforce which deserves an improved quality of life.”
The bill was criticized by a number of organizations and people. The California Chamber of Commerce called the bill a “job killer”. Even comedians like Jimmy Kimmel, no ally to conservative and pro-business causes, joked about the bill on his late-night show. Other opponents of the bill said that the bill would allow a backdoor method to increase the minimum wage and put an extra burden on businesses that are already having a difficult time in California with regulations. The California Chamber of Commerce said in a statement, “The bill significantly increases labor costs by imposing an overtime pay requirement after 32 hours and other requirements that are impossible to comply with, exposing employers to litigation under the Private Attorneys General Act”.
With the bill stalling, neither Low nor Garcia have made a statement on whether the bill will return. Labor advocates are pushing for a re-introduction of the bill. “This isn’t the end of AB 2932” said workers advocate Brenda Paxton.
Photo Cred: CBS Miami
