Proposed Legislation Would Give Holiday Workers Double Pay

A state assemblywoman from San Diego is proposing legislation that would mandate that people who work on Thanksgiving and Christmas receive double pay.

Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, assemblywoman for the 80th District, announced the "Double Pay on the Holiday" bill on Thursday at a Walmart in Serra Mesa, along with a local union representative and a Walmart worker.

Gonzalez pointed to the increasing demand for workers to keep up with the Black Friday hours that are continually creeping into the Thanksgiving holiday.

She said the demand has β€œbecome mandatory, forcing workers to give up their holiday or risk losing their jobs.”

"If it's so important to force employees to work on a traditional family holiday, it's only decent to compensate them fairly," Gonzalez said in a news release.

In a news release about her proposed legislation, Gonzalez pointed out that many employers are least provided some overtime or other days off in exchange for working the holiday.

Still, she said that while Walmart, for instance, provides additional pay for working on Thanksgiving, some employees have their hours cut on other days.

Many big-box stores opened early this year for Black Friday, opening on Thanksgiving evening. They include Walmart, Target, Macy’s and Best Buy.

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