Support AB2537: Enable volunteers to continue public works without prevailing wages requirement

In 2003, an interpretation by the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) of Labor over Code Section 1720 jeopardized the participation of volunteers for restoration work funded wholly or in part by public funds. The DIR interpretation to require payment of prevailing wages for all participants, including volunteers, working on projects deemed to be “public works” would have significantly impacted the activities of hundreds of California’s watershed groups, classroom service projects, and community organizations that rely on volunteer involvement. AB2537 was introduced by Assembly Member Warren Furutani to counter the DIR ruling, and exempt volunteers, volunteer coordinators, and members of the California Conservation Corps or certified Community Conservation Corps doing restoration work from the requirement to pay prevailing wages.

We encourage you to write letters (click here for a sample letter that you can personalize) and/or make calls in support of this bill, which will help preserve volunteer opportunities for Californians wanting to participate in restoration, education and outreach projects in their communities.

What you can do to help now!
Write your state Assembly Member and urge him/her to support A.B. 2537. To find your Assembly person, visit http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset7text.htm

Finally, send copies of your letters to Assembly Member Warren Furutani and let him know you support his effort to protect volunteerism and prevailing wages.

Furutani’s contact info:
Capitol Office:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0055
Tel: (916) 319-2055
Fax: (916) 319-2155

District Office:
4201 Long Beach Blvd.
Suite 327
Long Beach, CA 90807
Tel: (562) 989-2919
Fax: (562) 989-5494

Attachment	Size
Support Letter AB2537.doc	21 KB