IEBWC to the State of California:

It's Time to Back SB 16, Safeguarding Black Workers

Support for California's Senate Bill 16

On behalf of the Inland Empire Black Worker Center, we stand in unequivocal support for California's Senate Bill 16 (SB 16). Given the continued rise in workplace discrimination faced by Black workers, the bill, authored by Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-28), provides critical solutions by extending protections for local agencies, thereby better protecting our workforce.

Background

Employment discrimination has become an insidious part of American society, more so for Black workers. The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits discrimination based on various identities, yet a recent UCLA CARE survey reported that 1 in 3 Black workers experienced discrimination on their job during the pandemic. This discrimination not only strips these workers of their dignity but also destabilizes their financial health and overall wellbeing.

The Current Field of Enforcement

Despite the existence of a statewide body that processes claims of employment discrimination, workers face long waits for responses to their complaints. Worryingly, research shows that discrimination pervades every level of employment for Black workers in California, from recruitment and hiring to retention and promotion. Notwithstanding the fact that the State currently receives 34% more employment discrimination complaints since the 1980s, the state CRD has less manpower by 7%. Turn to traditional remedies, and one finds courts similarly biased against Black workers, who less likely to secure attorneys or find legal representation.

The Solution and The Role of SB 16

SB 16 provides an innovative solution to these glaring and unjust problems. It proposes to authorize local civil and human rights departments to enforce workplace discrimination cases - a role currently limited to the California Civil Rights Department.

By localizing the enforcement of discrimination laws, the bill acknowledges that communities best understand and can respond to their unique challenges. Local enforcement agencies, well-acquainted with the communities they serve, will quickly and accurately respond, expediting the review and resolution process for the aggrieved individuals. For Black workers specifically, SB 16 promises timelier reviews of their claims, enabling them to recover lost wages and return to work faster.

Call to Action

In the face of these injustices, we can no longer afford to stay silent. It is now essential to rally behind California's Senate Bill 16 in the following ways:

  1. Speak out: Let your voice be heard! Talk about SB 16 and its significance in your community, on social media, and in conversation with family and friends. The more we speak about it, the more awareness we raise.

  2. Contact Your Legislators: Reach out to your state representatives and let them know how you feel. We've made it easy - follow this link to find who your local representatives are and use our phone and email scripts to guide your communication. Reach out today and demand they support SB 16.

  3. Engage your Workplace: Share information about SB 16 with your employer. Encourage them to support local enforcement agencies in rooting out workplace discrimination.

  4. Donate: The fight against discrimination requires resources. Choose to make a difference today. Any amount, no matter how small, helps drive the effort. Donate here – use IEBWC dropdown tab.

  5. Volunteer: Join our volunteer force! Participate in our summer campaign, organize awareness drives, and contribute to community outreach. Sign up here.

By supporting SB 16, you are actively using your voice to fight against racial discrimination in the workplace. Now is the time to act! Together, let's bring about change and create an equitable future for all workers in California! Remember, your voice counts, your vote matters. With SB 16, we can make dignity and equality at work a reality for all.

Finally, the prospect of a more effective, localized enforcement of anti-discrimination laws through SB 16 offers hope and a path to justice for so many disadvantaged workers. As such, we, Inland Empire Black Worker Center, wholeheartedly support the enactment of SB 16. By placing more 'enforcement boots' on the ground, local agencies will be better equipped to combat and respond to workplace discrimination, thereby ensuring a fair and equitable future for all California's workers.