Applying AB5 to our national economy would wreak havoc on our livelihoods and income.
Dear Friend,
Today, I testified before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights about the harmful effects of AB5, legislation enacted in California that requires businesses to consider a strict three-part test (also known as the “ABC test”) before hiring freelancers and independent contractors.
It’s been two years since that legislation went into effect, and it’s wreaked havoc on California freelancers — causing them to lose their livelihoods and incomes. Now, the White House and Democrats in Congress want to take this job-killing AB5-style legislation and apply it nationally in legislation referred to as the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act).
The PRO Act, like AB5, would be particularly harmful to women, who represent the majority of workers in certain gig sectors, and many of whom value flexibility and independence over traditional 9-to-5 employment benefits.
Independent contractors have long been a part of our workforce. Today, about 1 in 5 jobs in America is held by an independent contractor, and that proportion is expected to grow.
Workers across industries have been vocal about the hardships of this legislation.
Jennifer O’Connell is a writer, yoga instructor, and career reinvention coach, whose world turned upside down when California passed AB5.
Monica Wyman is a florist whose entire business model is in danger because she isn't able to hire freelancers due to AB5.
Establishing the ABC test as the national standard would spread the harmful effects of AB5 across the country, eroding labor force attachment and denying women and workers the freedom to pursue the flexible opportunities that they choose and depend upon.
We need leaders to fight for workers—not against them.
P.S. If you’ve been impacted by California’s AB5 or if the federally proposed PRO Act will affect your livelihood, we want to hear from you. Share your story with us here.
