CA Bill Eases Payment Tensions for Per Diem Hires

On Aug. 26, the California Assembly passed a labor-backed bill 49-10 which would create more flexibility for union employers to pay per diem wages and closes loopholes in the current law. The bill, supported by IA District 2, the California Labor Federation and the Teamsters, is currently on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk. He has 30 days to sign or veto the bill.

The measure would allow union employers to pay their workers' wages at regularly scheduled pay period covered through the collective bargaining process instead of within 24-hours of work being completed, as current state law requires. If passed, it is expected to improve strained relations between entertainment industry workers and some of their employers.

Advocates argue that per diem workers are already covered by the collective bargaining process and don't need the protection of the 24-hour period that covers discharged workers. In the past, some per diem crew members have taken advantage of loopholes in the current law and filed lawsuits against employers who fail to remit payment within 24 hours.

AB 3018 says that payment of wages should be dealt with through the collective bargaining process. It allows for management and unions, cooperatively, to establish the most reasonable manner for the regular payment of wages.

Labor leaders and workers agree that workers benefit the most when employers are able to remain competitive in the marketplace. AB 3018 has the support of both labor and management.

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