Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The AB5 backlash: Singers, actors, dancers, theaters sound off on freelance law
La Times ^ | Feb 12, 2020 | By MAKEDA EASTER

Posted on 02/13/2020 5:29:49 PM PST by 11th_VA

AB5, California’s new gig economy law, has left the state’s performing artist community in a state of fear and confusion.

The law is intended to reduce worker misclassification, making it harder for companies to treat workers as independent contractors. It establishes a test to determine whether workers are employees who should receive minimum wage, paid sick days and other benefits.

But the law’s ambiguous language — specifically the use of the phrase “fine artist” without actually defining the term — already had led arts organizations to postpone or cancel productions and has sent others scrambling to raise more money to comply with the law.

To learn more about AB5’s effect on artists, The Times asked readers to write in.

We received more than 120 responses from artists across California — jazz and classical musicians, directors of arts nonprofits, magicians, costume designers, actors, a burlesque dancer and freelance food stylist, among others.

The overwhelming majority said AB5 is hurting their careers. Many are unsure how to comply with the law. Others are cutting back on programming or canceling services because of the cost required to convert independent contractors to employees...

(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Government; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: ab5; california; contractors; economy; employment
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-35 last
To: eyeamok

Tweeting that at laid off journalists gets you banned on Twitter.


21 posted on 02/13/2020 6:57:38 PM PST by tbw2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: SaxxonWoods

This almost seems like a sop to the lawyers, because the law intentionally says it is legal ... if you incorporate and get billed as a company/LLC.


22 posted on 02/13/2020 6:58:32 PM PST by tbw2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

Basically, they passed the law to try to punish Uber because they were considered too “bro” and not “woke” enough for the SJW crowd.

Sweet irony and schadenfreude that it’s coming back to bite them in the ass.


23 posted on 02/13/2020 7:05:39 PM PST by Kenny Bania (Ovaltine? Why not call it Roundtine?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

Nelson HA HA


24 posted on 02/13/2020 7:52:27 PM PST by Jeff Chandler (BLACK LIVES MAGA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

Question:

Are Whores gig workers?


25 posted on 02/13/2020 8:09:27 PM PST by Scrambler Bob (This is not /s. It is just as viable as any MSM 'information', maybe more so!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: aquila48

Welcome to the world you helped to make, embrace the suck!


26 posted on 02/13/2020 8:11:49 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: aquila48

“An opportunity for Trump. Come to California and let these people know he supports their right to work.”

totally ... it would be total genius for Trump to go to california for a couple of rallies and hammer the shite out of the Dems and AB5, and during the rally feature personal appearances of some of the different classes entrepreneurs being screwed ...


27 posted on 02/13/2020 9:14:37 PM PST by catnipman (Cat Nipman: Vote Republican in 2012 and only be called racist one more time!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

Terrible law. It harms people, but then it was passed by progressives, so what can you expect?


28 posted on 02/13/2020 9:19:44 PM PST by TBP (Progressives lack compassion and tolerance. Their self-aggrandizement is all that matters.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TBP

These people this law hurts have voted all these ASSHATS into office so NOW they reap what they have sewn!! I don’t feel a damn bit sorry for them I am in CA. and I have been living under what they have voted for for a damn long time NOW THEY FEEL THE PAIN!!!!


29 posted on 02/13/2020 9:24:37 PM PST by Trump Girl Kit Cat (Yosemite Sam raising hell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

Truck drivers now exempt...and graphic artists exempt in the original bill.


30 posted on 02/14/2020 6:20:20 AM PST by spokeshave (Trump:....Bernie Sanders is a communist. ...thats gonna leave a Marx.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

Right now, the Democrats are doing their usual thing when their plan goes awry - Double Down.

The pity is that, at some point, the outcry will become so great that AB5 is repealed. Then all these people who are screaming now will, like a compass needle pointing North, swing back to voting Democrat.


31 posted on 02/14/2020 8:36:39 AM PST by Oatka
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: aquila48

Dems are trying to make labor laws and unionization the issue for the upcoming election to drive the idea that the economy works for some people but not everyone... so this is dry run for the national election.


32 posted on 02/14/2020 11:03:09 AM PST by willyd (I for one welcome our NSA overlords)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA
Others are cutting back on programming or canceling services because of the cost required to convert independent contractors to employees...

Just pass this cost along to the final consumer; like ALL businesses do!

33 posted on 02/14/2020 2:15:26 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SaxxonWoods
“sanctuary gigs”

I love it!!!


34 posted on 02/14/2020 2:16:30 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Lurker

My dad used to say, “the liberal’s reward is self disgust”...


35 posted on 02/15/2020 4:43:53 AM PST by IncPen ("Inside of every progressive is a Totalitarian screaming to get out" ~ David Horowitz)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-35 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson