California bill unionizing legislative staffers clears hurdle

Legislative staffers in California are one step closer to being able to officially team up for better wages, benefits and working conditions. With an overwhelming majority, lawmakers in the California Assembly approved Assembly Bill 1 on Thursday, which would give 1,800 legislative employees who are not supervisors, such as aides, committee staff, and communications representatives, the ability to form a union. That would open the door to collective bargaining regardless of political affiliation. Sixty-eight lawmakers voted in favor of AB 1, while five assemblymembers voted against it, and seven did not vote. Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, D-Inglewood, who authored AB 1, said the bill is extremely important for legislative staffers both at the state Capitol and at district offices across California.