On Wednesday , Skyler Wonnacott, Senior Director of Government Relations at California Business Properties Association (CBPA), attended the Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement hearing to present primary opposition testimony against AB 2364. This bill, which proposes significant regulatory changes to the janitorial industry, was a critical focus for CBPA and our members.

During the hearing, Skyler emphasized the potential negative impacts of AB 2364, which seeks to establish a council to regulate the janitorial industry in a manner similar to the controversial Fast-Food Council. Skyler highlighted that this approach could lead to enforcement actions predominantly against non-union employers, resulting in increased claims and lawsuits without genuinely improving worker conditions.

 Skyler pointed out that the bill's criteria for defining a "reasonable workload" are overly simplistic and do not account for the complexities inherent in janitorial work. He also stressed that the proposed council composition reduces management representation, which could increase costs and reduce operational flexibility for employers.

Moreover, Skyler warned that AB 2364 imposes excessive training costs on employers, especially small businesses, mandating more expensive harassment training programs without proportionate benefits. He reiterated that the current $65 per employee charge under Labor Code §1420 already sufficiently covers sexual violence and harassment prevention training.

 Skyler also raised concerns about potential job losses as businesses might turn to automation to offset increased costs, exacerbating downtown vacancy issues. He noted that the bill would drive up cleaning costs for state-owned buildings, including schools. Furthermore, he argued that recent SEIU agreements already address workload disputes extensively, making the bill unnecessary. The proposed committee’s labor-heavy composition and the redundant involvement of the Labor Commissioner’s office, given Cal-OSHA's role, were also highlighted.

 Despite the compelling testimony and valid concerns raised by Skyler and other opponents, the bill passed on 4-1 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee, and CBPA, along with our coalition partners, will continue to lobby heavily against the bill. Stay tuned for further updates on AB 2364 and other legislative matters that affect our industry.