A new bill in the Legislature would guarantee farmworkers paid sick leave when wildfire smoke, heat or flooding cause work delays. Senator Steve Padilla of San Diego filed the measure this week.
He said farmworkers deal with conditions “few dare face” and that climate change “now threatens their health more than ever before.”
Padilla pointed out that ag workers are 35 times more likely to die of heat-related stress than other workers. He argues they should not have to risk personal financial disaster when the state declares emergencies.
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Senate Bill 1105 would task Cal/OSHA with determining if conditions are too hazardous to work outside. The bill has the support of farmworker organizations.
Meanwhile, Sen. Anthony Portantino of Burbank has revived his proposal to provide unemployment pay to striking union workers. Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed the measure last year, citing the economic costs and the state’s $20 billion debt from its unemployment insurance fund.
