From Assemblymember Norma Torres’ website:

Assemblymember Norma Torres announced today that the State Legislature has approved Assembly Bill 1855. This legislation protects warehouse worker’s rights by prohibiting contracts or agreements where a contractor knows or should know that there are insufficient funds to comply with basic labor laws. The bill has been sent to Governor Brown for his signature.

“AB 1855 will provide warehouse workers in the logistics industry the same protections against labor exploitation as temporary workers in the construction, farm labor, janitorial or security industries when they are hired by temporary staffing agencies,” said Torres.

The Inland Empire is home to one of the largest distribution centers for imports in the country. Between 1990 and 2007, temporary employment in the Inland Empire warehouses grew by 575 percent. A decade ago, warehouse companies had 80 percent direct employees and twenty percent temporary workers. Today, it is just about the opposite.

The warehouse and logistics industry is very important to the Inland Empire,” said Torres. “I have personally visited several warehouse and temporary staffing agencies, and found many that are providing a valuable service to our economy and our region. Unfortunately, there are some companies that are less scrupulous and have been fined for violations of our health, safety and labor laws. AB 1855 will ensure that our local warehouse workers are protected.”

AB 1855 received final approval in the State Assembly on a 53 – 23 vote. For more information on AB 1855 please visit www.leginfo.ca.gov.