3/3/05: Unions in California are keeping a close eye on Governor Schwarzenegger these days. On December 10th, he declared a state of emergency and announced that he was going to take away California workers' lunch breaks. He was forced to rescind the "emergency" status of his rule changes, but he is still attacking the guaranteed right to a lunch break for California workers.

The rule changes announced by the Governator would weaken workers' rights to breaks and meal periods and would shorten the amount of time that employers can be held liable for refusing to provide them. Companies like Wal-Mart that are being sued for cheating their workers out of lunch breaks could be off the hook if Governor Schwarzenegger’s changes go into effect.

Because the proposed rule changes are no longer classified as emergency regulations, the public was given 120 days to comment on them. Public forums have been held in Los Angeles, San Francisco (Video | Photos), and Fresno. People can also send written comments to the LWDA.

Hundreds of Workers Protest Governor’s Proposal to Weaken their Rights | California Labor Federation | Labor and Workforce Development Agency