Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) signed legislation intended to bolster farm unionization on Wednesday, despite having vetoed a similar bill in the past.
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The Golden State governor previously stated that he could not support the bill when it cleared the state legislature, but now, he claims changes were made to win him over. He has long weathered pressure from Democratic leaders, including President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), to pass the legislation.
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“Our farmworkers represent the very best of California. Hard-working. Determined. Inspiring. They deserve the fundamental right to advocate for themselves in the workplace,” Newsom proclaimed after signing the bill.
Around Labor Day weekend, Biden publicly threw his weight behind the measure, while Newsom strongly contemplated a veto. Biden’s wading into the dispute reportedly left Newsom “seething.” Last year, he cited “various inconsistencies and procedural issues” in a similar bill that he vetoed.
The bill, A.B. 2183, also known as California’s Agricultural Labor Relations Voting Choice Act, requires farms to allow workers to vote on unionization via a representation card, Politico reported.
A prior version of the bill also permitted mail-in union elections, but Newsom managed to eliminate that provision, which was a sticking point for him, due to security concerns, according to the news outlet.
California notably leans on mail-in ballots for its statewide elections. By allowing farmers to use a representation card instead of being required to vote at election sites, the bill makes it easier to form unions.
Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris also backed the legislation. Newsom endured heavy pressure from farm unions and progressive groups to sign the legislation. Less than 1% of farmers in California are unionized, according to Politico.
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The apparent rift between Newsom and Biden came at a time when many were speculating whether the California governor would run for president in 2024 — a race for which Biden has given a lukewarm commitment.
Speculation has been brewing about Newsom’s presidential aspirations due to his scathing campaigns against GOP heavyweights such as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his championing of a slew of progressive legislation over recent months.
Reports have indicated the California governor is gearing up to run in 2024 if Biden doesn’t. However, Newsom has strongly shot down speculation that he would run in 2024 or even 2028. “Not happening, no, no, not at all,” he told a moderator at the Texas Tribune Festival over the weekend.
