2021: Jim Desmond Cast The Lone Vote Against Creating A County Office Of Labor Standards And Enforcement Which Would Protect Pay And Safety Standards

2021: Desmond Cast The Lone Vote Against Creating A County Office Of Labor Standards And Enforcement To Protect Workplace Pay And Safety Standards

May 2021: Desmond Cast The Lone Vote Against Creating An Office Of Labor Standards And Enforcement In San Diego County. “The county will create a labor office to protect workplace pay and safety standards, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday. In a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Jim Desmond voting no, the board approved a plan to create an Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/4/21]

The Office Of Labor Standards And Enforcement Would Protect Workplace Pay And Safety Standards. “The county will create a labor office to protect workplace pay and safety standards, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday. In a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Jim Desmond voting no, the board approved a plan to create an Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/4/21]

Supervisor Fletcher Said The County Needed An Office To Help Workers Navigate Confusing Complaint Processes And Provide Information About Workplace Standards. “‘The COVID-19 pandemic I believe has highlighted the need for robust worker protections for essential workers,’ Board Chair Nathan Fletcher said. ‘During the pandemic these workers kept showing up, putting themselves at risk to keep our economy going and while COVID-19 has brought worker issues to the forefront these issues are not new.’ Although state and federal agencies typically handle employment complaints, Fletcher said the county needs a local office to help workers navigate confusing complaint processes, and provide information about workplace standards for both employees and employers.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/4/21]

Desmond Said The Labor Office Would Duplicate Tasks Done By The State And Federal Government

Desmond Objected To The Labor Office Because He Said It Would Duplicate Tasks Done By The State And Federal Government. “Desmond said he objected to the office because it would duplicate tasks the state and federal government are already charged with handling. ‘This is, in my opinion, a state and federal responsibility and not something the county should be expending dollars on enforcing,’ Desmond said. ‘Most complaints are directed to an overburdened state workers office. If anything we should be pushing the state to better respond to their own responsibility.’” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/4/21]

Desmond: “This Is, In My Opinion, A State And Federal Responsibility And Not Something The County Should Be Expending Dollars On Enforcing.” “Desmond said he objected to the office because it would duplicate tasks the state and federal government are already charged with handling. ‘This is, in my opinion, a state and federal responsibility and not something the county should be expending dollars on enforcing,’ Desmond said. ‘Most complaints are directed to an overburdened state workers office. If anything we should be pushing the state to better respond to their own responsibility.’” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/4/21]