Skinner’s SB 1085 Retains Leave Time for Union Leaders

Sacramento, CA - Today, State Senator Nancy Skinner’s (D-Berkeley) SB 1085, passed the State Legislature. SB 1085 ensures that officers and stewards of public employee unions are allowed take leaves of absence to perform their duties. SB 1085 now goes to Governor Brown for his signature.

“Workers enjoy better pay and working conditions when they are represented by a union,” said Skinner. “SB 1085 makes sure union officers can take the leave time needed to represent their fellow workers.”

A 2018 review by UC Berkeley found that California workers employed under a union contract earned 12.9 percent more than demographically similar workers in the same industry who did not enjoy the benefit of a union contract. The same review found that being represented by a union increased the likelihood that a worker would have employer-covered health insurance by 37 percent.

Although employers, including public employers, are held harmless and reimbursed for the full value of the time union leaders take off to perform their duties, some employers have been less cooperative in negotiating such agreements. SB 1085 ensures that public employers adequately accommodate union officers and stewards in the leaves of absence that may be necessary to conduct their responsibilities for the union.

“SB 1085 is another demonstration of California’s support for public servants and their unions,” said Skinner.

Senator Nancy Skinner (@NancySkinnerCA) represents the 9th Senate District. She serves as Chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee and the Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety and the Judiciary.
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