Senate Rejects Nominees Who Voided Overtime Law
Two members of the state Industrial Welfare Commission who voted to abolish daily overtime pay for about 8 million California workers were refused confirmation by Senate Democrats on Thursday.
The commission, appointed by Republican Gov. Pete Wilson, touched off a controversy when it eliminated overtime pay for work in excess of eight hours a day and replaced it with the federal rule requiring overtime for work exceeding 40 hours in a week.
The change is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1. It was supported by employers and Republicans in the Legislature and opposed by organized labor and Democrats.
Confirmation required at least 21 favorable votes in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Commissioners Robyn Black, a Visalia grower, and Syed Alam, a state engineer, received 14 votes, all from Republicans and one independent.
All the no votes were cast by Democrats.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
