Legislature Passes Senator Cortese’s Bill to Secure Historic Statewide Collective Bargaining Agreement for Minor League Baseball

The California Legislature has passed a bill by Senator Dave Cortese to secure a statewide bargaining agreement for minor league baseball players. Senate Bill (SB) 332 ensures a historic collective bargaining agreement for minor league baseball, guaranteeing better wages and benefits for California’s 362 minor league players, such as housing, health care, and compensation, including in the regular season, Spring Training and the off-season.

The bill cleared the State Senate on concurrence today and advanced to the Governor’s desk.

“This bill enables a historic agreement between baseball clubs and minor league players. We’ve landed a bipartisan bill that protects California’s players,” said Senator Cortese (D-San Jose). “For the first time, minor league players will be protected through a collective bargaining agreement that ensures better pay and working conditions. SB 332 covers all the bases by making the proposed minor league collective bargaining agreement consistent with California law.”

SB 332 is essential for carrying out a collective bargaining agreement that classifies minor league baseball players as salaried employees. The bill offers a limited exemption from state labor law, recognizing the distinct work of minor league baseball players, in order to align the collective bargaining agreement with California law. Both the collective bargaining agreement and the ensuing bill are expected to be a model for professional baseball in every state in the nation.

Senator Dave Cortese represents Senate District 15, which encompasses San Jose and much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. Visit Senator Cortese’s website: https://sd15.senate.ca.gov

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