Posts tagged California Federation of Labor Unions
Mayor Bass signs agreement to avert layoffs of LA municipal employees
September 25, 2025 // In April, the mayor had proposed more than 1,600 layoffs as part of an effort to eliminate a nearly $1 billion budget deficit caused by overspending, skyrocketing liability payouts, lower-than-expected tax revenues, and a weakening economy, among other challenges. The number of layoffs was later reduced to 600 after budget maneuvering by the City Council. The heads of city departments were able to fill vacancies with current employees. The city got creative in shuffling city employees around .
As Legislature Does Nothing, Manicurists Become Latest Victim of AB 5
September 14, 2025 // One of those carve-outs, for manicurists, expired on the first day of 2025. An effort was made to extend the exemption, but the bill was killed by a legislative committee, leaving nail technicians, 82% of whom are American-Vietnamese (and 85% are women), with little choice but to sue the state. The lawsuit claims the damage done to the manicurists “will be severe and irreparable.” At the same time, the salons where the manicurists work “will be forced out of business and will be forced to close their doors.” They will also “be subject to significant assessments and financial penalties that will be impossible to pay.”
California Uber and Lyft drivers closer to being able to unionize after crucial vote
September 12, 2025 // Uber called the deal a “compromise,” but a spokesperson would not answer CalMatters’ question about whether the company commits to bargaining in good faith if the drivers vote to form a union. Lyft also expressed support for the deal, but a spokesperson for the company would not comment on the unionization bill. There’s even more political intrigue surrounding the unionization bill: A new lawsuit filed by Rivas’s former press secretary, Cynthia Moreno, alleges Rivas made a deal with the Service Employees International Union over the unionization bill in exchange for its support for the state Democrats’ redistricting effort that will go before voters in November.
Unionization effort fails at south Sacramento manufacturing plant
March 17, 2025 // Workers voted 838 to 538 against unionizing in an election Thursday. A Siemens spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday morning. The workers attempted to organize under the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 549 and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1245, in a group called Siemens Workers United.
Worker rights? Racial bias? A law change for manicurists prompts debate, confusion
February 17, 2025 // Since the beginning of the year, licensed manicurists and nail salon owners in Orange County and across the state have been confused about whether a change in state law allows the business practice of renting a booth to continue or not. After an exemption expired under state law, nail salon workers are now subject to a rigorous test to determine if they are independent contractors while licensed aestheticians, electrologists, barbers and cosmetologists remain exempted from it.