Bill > AB288

This bill significantly expands the jurisdiction of the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) to protect workers' labor rights, particularly in situations where the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has become ineffective or has ceded jurisdiction. Specifically, the bill allows workers in positions traditionally covered by the National Labor Relations Act to petition PERB for protection if they lose NLRB coverage due to legislative, executive, or judicial actions, or if the NLRB has processing delays or lacks a quorum. PERB will be empowered to conduct representation elections, certify bargaining representatives, decide unfair labor practice cases according to a prioritized timeline, and order remedies including civil penalties of up to $1,000 per worker per violation. The bill also establishes a new Public Employment Relations Board Enforcement Fund to support these activities and allows PERB to rely on its own precedents while interpreting labor relations laws. Additionally, the bill modifies the Agricultural Labor Relations Board's jurisdiction, giving it exclusive authority to determine definitional matters and allowing it more discretion in following National Labor Relations Act precedents. The legislative findings emphasize the bill's purpose of protecting workers' constitutional rights to free association and collective bargaining in the face of federal agency limitations.

Budget and Finance, Justice, Labor and Employment

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB288