FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
July 22, 2022
Contact Megan Gamble, 916-832-1884

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, the Secretary of State announced that the California Fair Pay and Employer Accountability Act qualified for the 2024 ballot on the random sample count of signatures. The Committee submitted 962,217 signatures in support of the reform, meeting the 110% validity rate threshold and will be in the voters’ hands come November 2024.

The ballot measure will put workers’ labor claims back in the hands of the independent regulator, getting their claims handled faster without having to hire trial lawyers that drag out the process and take a third of their settlements. This initiative will also help small businesses around California that have been defenseless against shakedown lawsuits while ensuring willful violators will be fined double the penalties. 

“We are excited to take this measure directly to the voters who will vote to empower the Labor Commissioner instead of continuing to line the pockets of some unscrupulous trial attorneys,” said Jennifer Barrera, President and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce. “We are positive that when voters learn more about how these bad actors have taken advantage of PAGA, leaving workers with less money, they will vote yes on this reform.”

“The Act isn’t just protecting businesses from shakedown lawsuits, it was purposefully drafted to make sure that workers’ rights are protected in all aspects,” said Brian Maas, President of the California New Car Dealers and measure proponent. “This initiative puts workers’ claims in the hands of the independent regulator to hold employers violating labor laws accountable by doubling penalties.”

“Hundreds of thousands of California voters signed the petition to get PAGA reform on the ballot,” said Jot Condie, President + CEO of the California Restaurant Association. “We are confident that voters will see through the trial lawyers’ attempts to hold on to a multi-billion-dollar revenue stream that has come at the expense of California’s workers and small businesses.”

“This necessary reform will protect multigenerational farm businesses while providing a better pathway for workers to address legitimate grievances,” said Dave Puglia, President and CEO of Western Growers Association. 

“The Act will actually help small businesses comply with California’s strong and complex labor laws,” said Ronald Fong, President and CEO of the California Grocers Association. “Under this measure, the Labor Commissioner’s Office will be equipped to give written advice to businesses trying to make sure they are following the laws correctly.”

“Over the next 18 months, the campaign will continue to educate Californians on how broken the current system is for workers under PAGA,” said Lance Hastings, President and CEO of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association. “The California Fair Pay and Employer Accountability Act is the best solution to take trial lawyers out of the equation and get better outcomes for workers under the Labor Commissioner.” 

About the Executive Committee of Californians for Fair Pay and Accountability:

California New Car Dealers (CNCDA) represents nearly 1,200 franchised new car and truck dealers throughout California. CNCDA members are primarily engaged in the retail sale and lease of new vehicles, and also engage in automotive service, repair and part sales.

Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. WGA members and their workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including nearly half of America’s fresh organic produce. 

As a not-for-profit since 1890, CalChamber works to transform California’s business landscape. Today, nearly 40,000 businesses in the state rely on CalChamber for advocacy and labor law compliance.

Founded in 1906, the California Restaurant Association represents 22,000 restaurant locations throughout the state. The CRA provides ultimate access to the resources and support that restaurant professionals need to lead thriving businesses while serving as conscientious, contributing members of an unparalleled industry. California is home to eating and drinking places that ring up more than $72 billion in sales and employ more than 1.4 million workers, making restaurants an indisputable driving force in the state’s economy.

For more than 120 years, the California Grocers Association has served as the voice of the state’s grocery community. A nonprofit, statewide trade association, CGA’s membership is comprised of over 300 retailers operating more than 6,000 brick-and-mortar stores, and approximately 150 grocery supply companies. The Association is recognized as the leading resource in the areas of government and industry relations for California’s food industry and its customers while also providing continuing education opportunities for industry employees and their children.

 

The California Manufacturers & Technology Association has advocated for pro-growth laws and regulations before the California legislature and administrative agencies since 1918. Total output from manufacturing in California is $288 billion per year, roughly 10 percent of the total economic output of the state. Manufacturers employ 1.2 million Californians paying wages more than $25,000 higher than other non-farm employers in the state. For more information, visit the CMTA website.

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Ad paid for by Californias for Fair Pay and Employer Accountability, sponsored by farmers, small businesses, independent restaurants and nonprofit organizations. Committee major funding from:

California New Car Dealers Association

Western Growers Service Corp

California Chamber of Commerce

Funnding details at www.fppc.ca.gov