Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Rock & Roller and Others Concerned About Their Future Under AB 5
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 years ago on
March 5, 2020

Share

The future of labor is leaving many question marks and much concern among those who attended a workshop about a controversial state law that went into effect this year.
State Senator Andreas Borgeas (R-Fresno) held the event last week to answer question about the impact of AB 5, the law that redefines what an independent contractor is. More than 100 people filled an auditorium at Clovis Community College eager to hear how their livelihood could change.
“It is designed to squeeze out freelancers and independent contractors from the workforce,” Borgeas said describing AB 5.
The bill, authored by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), created standards that define who is an independent contractor, and who is an employee subject to state labor laws. While the focus has been on how it will affect “gig economy” workers such as Uber and Lyft, there are many other industries and workers the law reaches.

Rock & Roller Afraid of Losing Gigs

Don Davis plays bass for Executive Rockers, a local band that plays gigs at nightclubs. Their motto, listed on the band’s website: “The Friendliest and Most Versatile Band in All the Land.”
He’s concerned about his future if he is no longer considered an independent contractor. It’s a concern other musicians are facing he said.
“Everybody is really in the dark exactly how it will affect us,” Davis said.
Yvonne Schwemmer is also in the performing arts of a sort. The Coarsegold native narrates medical and tech textbooks as a voiceover artist. She took a pause from her business, but is looking to get back in.
“It doesn’t make any sense to even pursue California clients at this time,” she said. “That was the low-hanging fruit.”
She’s noticed being from the Golden State is a detriment.
“This is a tough business for anyone. This just made it a lot tougher,” she said. “A lot of companies are not willing to go that route because of the uncertainty of this whole thing and the concern about fines. Some companies are actually specifying ‘No California.”

Borgeas Introduces Bill to Help Franchisees

“Even folks who supported AB 5 didn’t fully appreciate the implications,” Borgeas said.
But, an attempt to gut the law last week failed. California Republican assemblymembers introduced a bill to suspend AB 5’s implementation. The vote went along party lines, with Democrats voting against it to preserve the law.
Last week, Borgeas introduced SB 967, to protect independent franchise owners from being considered employees of their parent corporation (such as a local franchisee of a national fast food restaurant).
Another Borgeas bill would prevent AB 5 from being applied retroactively.
Gonzalez has agreed to consider legislation to exempt some segments of the workforce, such as freelance journalists.
The state set up a website (link here) to answer AB 5 questions.

Will California Set the Trend?


“I’m angry that one person in particular decided she knew what was best for everybody else.” — Tara C., graphic design
Tara C. is less concerned about her work as a graphic designer, and more concerned about the concept of AB 5 spreading nationally.
Last month, the House of Representatives passed the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (HR 2474), 224-194. The bill was mainly supported by Democrats, including Jim Costa, D-Fresno, and TJ Cox, D-Fresno.
Tara blamed Gonzalez for the trend.
“I’m angry that one person in particular decided she knew what was best for everybody else,” Tara said. “There are people who love what they do. If they wanted to work full time, they would.”
Like Schwemmer, Tara — a freelancer — is awaiting to see if she wants to work for California clients.

DON'T MISS

Tulare Gang Member Gets Life Without Parole for 2022 Murders

DON'T MISS

Will Trump Loyalist Devin Nunes Be Tapped to Head the CIA?

DON'T MISS

Gov. Newsom Said No, but California Voters Overwhelmingly Said Yes

DON'T MISS

Mike Tyson-Jake Paul: How to Watch the Fight, Time, Odds

DON'T MISS

Travel in the West Bank Is a Tale of Two Journeys

DON'T MISS

Chris Wallace Is Leaving CNN, Eager to Explore New Media Landscape

DON'T MISS

Merced’s Iconic Laura Fountain Returns to Splendor With $300K Restoration

DON'T MISS

If You Thought Trump Wasn’t Serious About Deportations, Look at His First Appointments

DON'T MISS

Biden EPA to Charge First-Ever ‘Methane Fee’ for Emissions Waste by Oil and Gas Companies

DON'T MISS

Trump Picks Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to Be Ambassador to Israel

UP NEXT

Gov. Newsom Said No, but California Voters Overwhelmingly Said Yes

UP NEXT

Chris Wallace Is Leaving CNN, Eager to Explore New Media Landscape

UP NEXT

Merced’s Iconic Laura Fountain Returns to Splendor With $300K Restoration

UP NEXT

California Counts Methodically as House Control Hangs in the Balance

UP NEXT

‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,’ a Christian Comedy, Scores With Audience in Fresno Premiere

UP NEXT

Clovis Wants to Rein in Short-Term Rentals. Hearing Is Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Voters in California City Reject Measure Allowing Noncitizens to Vote in Local Races

UP NEXT

Voters in Oakland Oust Mayor Sheng Thao Just 2 Years Into Her Term

UP NEXT

Clovis Serves Up a Special Day for Veterans and Community

UP NEXT

Dust Storm Knocks Out Power in Fresno Area, Causes Massive Pile-Up in Madera

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Mike Tyson-Jake Paul: How to Watch the Fight, Time, Odds

2 hours ago

Travel in the West Bank Is a Tale of Two Journeys

2 hours ago

Chris Wallace Is Leaving CNN, Eager to Explore New Media Landscape

2 hours ago

Merced’s Iconic Laura Fountain Returns to Splendor With $300K Restoration

3 hours ago

If You Thought Trump Wasn’t Serious About Deportations, Look at His First Appointments

3 hours ago

Biden EPA to Charge First-Ever ‘Methane Fee’ for Emissions Waste by Oil and Gas Companies

3 hours ago

Trump Picks Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to Be Ambassador to Israel

3 hours ago

At the Pandemic’s Start, Americans Began Drinking More. They Still Are.

4 hours ago

Last GOP Congressman Anchored in Democratic LA County Concedes in Race Against Former NASA Exec

4 hours ago

Aid Groups Say Israel Misses US Deadline to Boost Humanitarian Aid Entering Gaza

4 hours ago

Tulare Gang Member Gets Life Without Parole for 2022 Murders

Nathaniel Lujano, 23, of Tulare, was sentenced to life without parole for two murders the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office ann...

28 mins ago

Nathaniel Lujano, 23, of Tulare, a known gang member was sentenced to life without parole for two 2022 murders, committed to benefit a criminal street gang. (Tulare County DA)
28 mins ago

Tulare Gang Member Gets Life Without Parole for 2022 Murders

Photo of Devin Nunes
1 hour ago

Will Trump Loyalist Devin Nunes Be Tapped to Head the CIA?

2 hours ago

Gov. Newsom Said No, but California Voters Overwhelmingly Said Yes

2 hours ago

Mike Tyson-Jake Paul: How to Watch the Fight, Time, Odds

Grigory Kels Tsvi, left, crosses the West Bank on a bus, May 10, 2024. Israel says it manages the roads to reduce friction and prevent militant attacks on Israelis — rights groups say the movement restrictions on Palestinians create deep inequality. (Sergey Ponomarev/The New York Times)
2 hours ago

Travel in the West Bank Is a Tale of Two Journeys

2 hours ago

Chris Wallace Is Leaving CNN, Eager to Explore New Media Landscape

3 hours ago

Merced’s Iconic Laura Fountain Returns to Splendor With $300K Restoration

3 hours ago

If You Thought Trump Wasn’t Serious About Deportations, Look at His First Appointments

Search

Send this to a friend