April 26, 2020 – Los Angeles is making significant moves to protect its laid-off workers who have had their jobs for a long time. Members of the City Council voted to support that a proposal requiring businesses to approach their laid-off workers first before new applicants once rehiring starts.
Under the ordinance, businesses in the hospitality, transportation, retail, and other designated industries who laid off their workers due to the coronavirus could be required to rehire these workers based on their seniority and skills set. It is an act to protect those who have had their jobs for a long time, are more skilled and experienced from being replaced with low-cost and under experienced workforce to recover from the economic loss.
The City Council also voted for a worker retention ordinance. This will require businesses with new owners to maintain and rehire workers employed by the old owners.
While the draft is still in the works, many business associations and groups, such as the Hotel Association of Los Angeles and the California Employment Law Council are already opposing the plan, citing violations of constitutional ethics, federal and state laws and the outpouring of lawsuits.
