Businesses, Labor Unions Reach Deal to Toss California’s Ballot Initiative on Workplace Lawsuits

With days to go before the June 27 deadline to pull eligible voter initiatives from the November ballot, a deal has been reached between labor unions, business groups, and lawmakers June 19 to remove a proposal to reform a state law allowing employees to file lawsuits against employers for workplace violations. A list of trade groups, chambers of commerce, and more than 50 small businesses support the ballot initiative to reform the Private Attorney General Act—better known as PAGA. Reform proponents said PAGA litigation caused some businesses to fail because they could not afford the legal costs. One proponent of the initiative in support of the new agreement said he’s hopeful the plan will be passed by the state Legislature and signed into law before the deadline....