Gov. Newsom reverses stance, signs farmworker union bill after pressure from Biden team

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a farmworker unionization law that he had previously hinted he would oppose. The law was one of his most contentious bills this year.

But Newsom approved the bill only after he, the United Farm Workers and the California Labor Federation agreed on clarifying language to be considered during next year’s legislative session to address his concerns around implementation and voting integrity.

The new law gives California farmworkers, who harvest much of the nation’s fruit and vegetables, new ways to vote in union elections beyond physical polling places on farm property. Proponents say that would help protect workers from union busting and other intimidation, while owners say such a system lacks necessary safeguards to prevent fraud.