"CA requires public school unionization lessons, bans mandatory anti-union work meetings"

Two new major unionization laws are taking effect in California, reflecting unions’ relatively high strength, approval rating, and membership in the Golden State.

According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data, California workers are 54% more likely to be members of unions, with 15.4% of California workers belonging to unions, compared to 10% of American workers overall.

Two new laws — AB 800, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2023, and now SB 399, signed into law by Newsom this year, are set to help maintain or even increase union membership in the state.

AB 800, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2023, requires California high school juniors and seniors to be taught about their workplace rights, the achievements of organized labor, and students’ right to join a union.

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SB 399, signed law by Newsom in September, bans employers from punishing employees who do not attend meetings with political or religious purposes, which employees say is necessary to protect their own First Amendment rights.

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Employers claim the bill — which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, violates employers’ First Amendment rights.

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