Dear Sisters and Brothers, 

 

Check out these 5 things going on in the California Labor Movement this month. Hot Labor Summer isn't ending, it's endless!
1. LEGISLATIVE WINS 
 
You may have seen that this was a fantastic year for organized labor in the State Legislature. Thirteen of our California Labor Federation sponsored bills made it to the Governor’s Desk, along with dozens of our affiliate unions’ bills that we supported as well. The corporate lobby isn’t too happy, but it does appear that state legislators are listening to their constituents and voting with working people!
 
Kudos to our legislative team headed by our incomparable Legislative & Strategic Campaigns Director Sara Flocks. You can read more about our legislative year here! 
2. UNEMPLOYMENT FOR STRIKING WORKERS
 
One of labor’s most consequential bills of the session was SB 799. This bill would allow workers on strike to access unemployment benefits that they've already earned. The Governor has not yet committed to signing this bill and it’s all hands-on desk. Please sign the petition and make a call to the Governor asking him to stand with striking workers!
 
Send a letter to Governor Newsom HERE! 
Call the Governor's Office and Voice Your Support for SB 799: (916) 445-4341
3. ORGANIZING TRAININGS
 
This year we have doubled down on trainings as a way to build capacity in our labor movement. We have held Organize California Institute Trainings in San Diego, the Bay Area, and the Inland Empire. We put on a Strike School and supported the Los Angeles County Fed's Black Worker Organizer Training in Los Angeles and the North Valley Labor Fed's organizing training in Modesto. And we aren’t done! We plan to support several additional regional organizing trainings in November, including trainings in Spanish.
 
Plus, we are looking for an organizing drive to center our next institute training around! If you or your union are interested in a training, please contact our Organizing Director Chloe Osmer at [email protected]. 
4. IMPORTANT SAVE THE DATES
 
We have a number of exciting events coming up, make sure to mark these dates in your calendar!  
 
The Labor Federation's Pre-Primary Convention on December 5, 2023 will take place in Oakland where delegates will have an opportunity to weigh in on Labor’s endorsements for the March 2024 Primary election. Please check with your local union to find out if you are a delegate!  
 
We have also nailed down our 2024 legislative conference dates. Next year, the conference will be held March 17-19 in Sacramento. Please contact your local labor council to make sure they know you want to attend! 

In Solidarity,

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher