labor - CalMatters

Laphonza Butler, President of EMILY's List, speaks during an event in Washington on June 23, 2023. Photo by Susan Walsh, AP Photo

Newsom’s pick to replace Feinstein: Laphonza Butler

by Lynn La October 2, 2023October 2, 2023

Late Sunday evening, Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed that Laphonza Butler, president of EMILYs List — a political action committee focused on electing pro-choice, Democratic women — will replace the late U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and finish out her term through 2024. As CalMatters’ state Capitol reporter Alexei Koseff explains, Butler for many years was the […]

People protest in front of InterContinental Hotel as unionized hotel workers in Los Angeles and Orange County go on strike, in Los Angeles on July 2, 2023. Photo by David Swanson, REUTERS

California Divide

Labor leaders despair but don’t give up on unemployment for strikers after Gavin Newsom veto

by Denise Amos and Felicia Mello October 1, 2023October 2, 2023

Driverless Cruise vehicle in San Francisco on Aug. 18, 2023.

Technology and labor trade-offs create dilemma for California’s economy

by Dan Walters October 1, 2023September 27, 2023

Governor Gavin Newsom poses with cheering workers after he signed legislation supporting fast food workers and boosting wages to $20 an hour, at a press conference at SEIU Local 721 in Los Angeles on Sept. 28, 2023. Anneisha Williams, a fast food worker cheers beside him to the right. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

Fast food workers get raises from new California law

by Lynn La September 29, 2023September 29, 2023

Burger King employee Yolanda Santiago cheers “¡Si Se Pudo!” or “Yes, We Could!,” with fellow workers before Gov. Gavin Newsom signs legislation supporting the rights of fast food workers and boosting wages to $20 an hour during a press conference at SEIU Local 721 in Los Angeles on Sept. 28, 2023. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

California Divide

Gavin Newsom signs law boosting minimum wage for fast-food workers. Is $20 enough?

by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde September 28, 2023September 28, 2023

Entrance to the state Senate chamber at the state Capitol in Sacramento on Feb. 21, 2023. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Has California’s much-dreaded ‘job killer’ list lost some of its bite?

by Dan Walters September 27, 2023September 26, 2023

Gov. Gavin Newsom hands Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, a copy of a bill that Newsom signed at the Capitol in Sacramento on Oct. 11, 2019. AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

Newsom signs new California crime and school laws

by Lynn La September 26, 2023September 26, 2023

Unite Here Local 11 supporters participate in a sit-in protest at one of the main entrances to LAX airport on June 22, 2023. Photo by Zaydee Sanchez for CalMatters

Striking workers in California are at a disadvantage. They deserve the jobless benefits they earned

by Guest Commentary September 25, 2023September 24, 2023

The offices of the Employment Development Department in Sacramento on Jan. 10, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

California’s EDD has enough problems. Giving jobless benefits to striking workers is the last thing it needs

by Guest Commentary September 25, 2023September 22, 2023

Screen Actors Guild members and Writers Guild of America members picket at the Amazon Culver Studios in Culver City on June 17, 2023. A bill would pay strikers unemployment benefits. Photo by Julie A Hotz for CalMatters

California Divide

After hot labor summer, will Gavin Newsom sign bill giving unemployment benefits to striking workers?

by Felicia Mello September 25, 2023September 30, 2023