Using the backdrop of the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital,
Gov. Gray Davis signed legislation that will provide paid leave for
workers who take time off to care for their children and family
members.
“I don’t want Californians to choose between being
good parents and good employees,” Davis said.
Effective July 1, 2004, workers can take up to six weeks off to
care for a newborn or newly adopted child or ill family member.
During this time, employers will pay out 55 percent of a
worker’s wages, with a cap of $728 a week.
Funding for the program relies on employee contributions. It is
estimated that over 80 percent of California’s 16 million
workers would fall under the paid leave plan.
Exemptions to the new law include businesses with fewer than 50
employees and workers for state and local governments, who
contribute to a different plan.
Opponents to the new law ““ which has similar forms in 27
other states ““Â fear it will be an unfair burden on
smaller businesses with more than 50 employees but who cannot
afford the additional costs of the plan.
“They are going to have to compete with similar businesses
in other states that don’t have to contend with this,”
said Julianne Broyles, a lobbyist for the California Chamber of
Commerce.
Broyles cited that the law does not have the foresight to
consider costs such as additional overtime, replacement workers and
training for those who fill the void while workers are on this paid
leave.
The law was introduced by State Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa
Monica whose office could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
The governor’s appearance marks his third UCLA-related
visit in September. On Sept. 2 he led the dedication of the
downtown UCLA Labor Center.
The new facility will serve as a base for student researchers in
labor education and host programs such as English as a Second
Language research and a wage and hour clinic for the UCLA School of
Law.
Center workers said Davis’ presence added significant
weight to the primary goals of the center, which are to research
labor and workplace issues in contemporary society.
“It was a real recognition of the importance of the
relationship between the labor community and the university,”
said Neal Sacharow, a staff member at the center.
The next day, Sept. 3, Davis visited the UCLA campus to support
union workers’ rights and campaign for his reelection.
Davis met with food workers in the American Federation of State,
Municipal and County Employees to support their recent contract
with the Associated Students of UCLA, which unionized about 80
workers who had previously been contracted through temp agencies
and had little job security.
The contract will cost ASUCLA an additional $730,000 each year
to upgrade the workers’ status to career staffers, proposing
a financial challenge to the Association which provides students
with a wide array of non-academic services.
With reports from the Associated Press.