Aug 2, 2010

Schwarzenegger vetoes overtime bill

On July 28, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that would have given California agricultural workers overtime pay after working more than eight hours per day or 40 hours per week.

In his veto message to the California State Senate, the governor said: “Unfortunately, this measure, while well-intended, will not improve the lives of California’s agricultural workers and instead will result in additional burdens on California businesses, increased unemployment and lower wages.”

In order to remain competitive against other states that do not have such wage requirements, businesses would avoid paying overtime if the bill were to pass. Instead of working 10-hour days, multiple crews would be hired to work shorter shifts, resulting in lower pay for all workers, according to the governor’s message.