In a recent government meeting, California lawmakers discussed the pressing issue of wage theft affecting thousands of workers across various sectors. The proposed legislation, Assembly Bill 2135 (AB 2135), aims to extend the statute of limitations for investigations into labor violations on public works projects, allowing the labor commissioner more time to address complaints and ensure justice for affected workers.

Greg Lewis, business manager for Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 761, highlighted the detrimental impact of wage theft on families living paycheck to paycheck, emphasizing that many workers lack the resources to seek justice independently. He cited a specific case involving a senior center project in Santa Clarita, where contractors failed to comply with prevailing wage laws, leading to the premature closure of investigations due to the statute of limitations.

Andres Posada, executive director of the Labor Management Compliance Council, echoed these concerns, noting that approximately 25% of complaints submitted to the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSC) have been closed due to reaching the statute of limitations, despite being filed well in advance. He stressed that this trend undermines public confidence in labor law enforcement and perpetuates a cycle of injustice for exploited workers.

Support for AB 2135 was voiced by various labor representatives, who argued that the bill would hold unscrupulous contractors accountable and ensure that workers receive the wages they have earned. However, opposition emerged from representatives of construction employers, who argued that extending the investigation timeline would not address the underlying issues within the DLSC and could hinder small contractors from bidding on projects due to increased liabilities.

Senator Durazo, a proponent of the bill, acknowledged the concerns raised by the opposition but maintained that the legislation is a necessary step to protect workers' rights. The committee ultimately expressed support for the bill, recognizing the urgent need to address wage theft in a state where many workers continue to struggle financially. The discussion underscored the ongoing challenges in labor law enforcement and the importance of ensuring fair compensation for all workers in California.