Janitorial Disservice
As a former businessman, I am amused by how often Legislature just doesn’t get it.
Each session, scores of anti-business, job-killing bills come before us. Unfortunately, the governor signs a number of these ill-advised measures, which have driven up the cost of conducting business in this state.
Yet, on occasion, legislation has been sent to Gov. Gray Davis that is so awful that he has been forced to stand up to members of his own party by using his veto pen to prevent a bad idea from becoming law.
That was the case just last year, when Davis wisely vetoed Senate Bill 1877. The bill would have forced companies awarded contracts or subcontracts to provide janitorial or building maintenance service to retain all employees of the previously terminated contractors and subcontractors for 90 days.
While stressing the need for job safety and security, the governor noted that SB 1877 “sets a troubling precedent regulating private sector employment relationships.”
The governor understands that labor disputes are best resolved among the affected parties, without legislative interference clearly favoring one side against the other.
Despite Davis’ reasoned veto of SB 1877, the Legislature is back with a sequel, just as bad as the original. SB 20 will enact much of the provisions of last year’s attempt, and undoubtedly will burden California employers as well as our judicial system.
Under existing law, building owners may end a contract for a variety of reasons, including price, quality, and reliability of employees of the janitorial contractor.
Yet, if you cancel the contract (under scope of SB 20), you will still be stuck with the same employees that made the contract termination necessary in the first place.
And while the author of this bill claims that SB 20 preserves the rights of owners to terminate an employee for cause, the standard of proof for cause has now risen to possibly unrealistic heights.
SB 20 does nothing to increase employment for janitors. Employees of a new contractor will not be allowed to work on a new project and former employees are forced to remain on the job. There are no provisions in this bill to address the “displaced janitors” of a contractor who will not be allowed to work.
Opposing SB 20 does not mean you are “anti-worker.” SB 20 sets such a foreboding precedent to employers that they may decide to hire fewer employees.
In addition, SB 20 causes displacement of janitors with its prohibitive structure for contractors.
Assemblyman Bill Campbell (R-Orange)
El Toro, Con’t.
How soon we forget. Millions of dollars were spent to determine a location for a world-class Orange County international airport. What we got was an expanded terminal vs. an overgrown barn leftover from the farming days, and a parking structure plus a na & #271;ve recommendation for a new location in an inland valley halfway to San Diego.
Right now, there is a unique opportunity to save time and billions of dollars in taxes already paid by converting El Toro to a world-class international airport through the saving of existing runways. Removing the runways and converting the facility to a “railport” would require new taxes in the billions without the assurance of its economical viability. Trains run on tracks not runways.
By the time El Toro would be completed as a railport, the county politicos would believe that John Wayne Airport capacity has been obsolete for years. A clamor for a new study to locate and build a new international airport would be made at greatly increased costs and taxes when at this moment there is a great opportunity to save this important asset for the continued economic growth of the county. Until we get space ports, airports will remain the most important centers for passengers and air-cargo transportation.
Edward G. Klein, Costa Mesa
I have lived in Orange County for 40 years. I have no political ties to any group involved in the El Toro issue. I’m just a working man that feels compelled to share my opinion to all the other hard working folks in OC.
Recently you may have received a mailer from Orange County claiming “Just the Facts” on the airport issue. As a voter, I do some research so that my vote is not out of ignorance. I suggest you do the same. I believe that supervisors Coad, Silva and Smith finally have stepped over the line and have called us all “fools” in the campaign.
The “Just the Facts” campaign is half-truths at best, attacking the gullibility of people that have no idea of the real facts concerning the issue. A little investigation and you’ll soon discover the truth.
Their conclusion on air quality/pollution lacks any scientific basis and defies all common sense. They offer just four lines of meaningless garble on safety. Their conclusion on the noise impact is so flawed it cannot withstand any professional engineering logic for technical competency or accuracy. The financial impact will be enormous and possibly devastating. They ignore privatization and the billions of dollars that will have to be spent concerning aviation easements.
The supervisors’ plan is inept at best, but closer to insane. Believe nothing from the three supervisors claiming to represent the people of this county.
Mike Kelly, Aliso Viejo
