Meal Breaks

The right of workers to take a guaranteed lunch break is fundamental, but the Schwarzenegger administration and some employer groups continue trying to undermine meal period rights.

BACKGROUND:

In January 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger retreated from regulations that would have severely weakened the right of California workers to a lunch break. Thanks to the many union members who opposed the lunch break takeaway, we won a tremendous victory!

The regulation would have jeopardized workplace health and safety by making it easier for employers to coerce workers out of their meal breaks. It would also have reduced the statute of limitations on meal break cases from three years to one year, giving a free pass to companies who deny lunch breaks to their employees.

The announcement came after a year-long battle in which unions and our community allies challenged Schwarzenegger’s proposed takeaway in the media, on the streets, and in the courts. Congratulations to everyone who helped defeat this attack our lunch breaks!