Governor Signs AB 2183 to Support Farmworkers and Assembly Member Santiago Responds

(Los Angeles, CA) – Following Governor Newsom’s signing of AB 2183 (Stone), a bill which will expand access to free and fair union elections for farmworkers, Assembly Member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) released the following statement:

“Farmworkers put food on our table through searing triple digit heat, wildfire smoke, and the COVID-19 pandemic. They deserve to vote by mail in union elections without the threat of intimidation or retaliation,” said Assembly Member Miguel Santiago.

“That’s why I’m proud to co-author AB 2183 and thank Assembly Member Stone for his leadership on the bill. Farmworkers are essential workers who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect for the vital services they provide. Vote by mail union elections would provide essential support for our farmworkers.”

AB 2183 will would update how a farmworker exercises their existing right to vote for union representation by allowing farmworkers to vote by mail in union elections or deliver their sealed ballot to the Agricultural Labor Relations Board. The bill is sponsored by the United Farm Workers and is supported by several labor organizations.

Assembly Member Miguel Santiago is the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization and the Assembly Select Committee on Los Angeles County Homelessness. He also sits on the Assembly Committee on Health, Public Safety, Higher Education and Utilities and Energy. He represents the 53rd District composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Vernon.