(Sacramento) – Assemblymember Swanson's bill to address an issue of concern involving payment of wages in the temporary industry was approved by the Assembly today and heads to the Governor for signature.  Assembly Bill 1710 received overwhelming bipartisan support with a 61-9 vote. 

Assembly Bill 1710 is sponsored by Assemblymember Swanson and jointly co-authored by Assemblymember Mike Davis and Assemblymember Mervyn Dymally.  Senator Leyland Yee and Assemblymember Mark Leno are principal co-authors.

Assembly Bill 1710 is the product of months of negotiations concerning the issue of payment of wages in the temporary staffing industry.  Following a California Supreme Court decision last year (Smith v. L'Oreal), concern was expressed by the temporary staffing industry about the possible implications of that decision on payroll practices in the industry.  Specifically, the industry was concerned that the decision could be interpreted to require them to pay employees upon the completion of each assignment.

The industry sought a legislative solution to this problem and has been engaged in negotiations with representatives of labor over the last several months.  Assembly Bill 1710 represents the result of those discussions.

The bill addresses the industry's concerns that they will not necessarily have to pay an employee at the completion of every assignment.  And the bill addresses labor's concerns in ensuring prompt payment of wages by codifying weekly pay for the industry.  There are a number of exceptions in which pay would occur daily, such as day labor and strikebreakers.

Assemblymember Swanson stated, "This bill represents the best possible solution to address the concerns of as many of the stakeholders as possible.  I am very pleased with the manner in which the industry and labor worked together to reach a compromise on this important measure."

The bill is supported by the American Staffing Association, the California Staffing Professionals and dozens of individual temporary agencies.

Assembly Bill 1710 now heads to the Governor for his signature.