California Attorney General Rob Bonta has released the fifth annual Labor Day Report, detailing the Department of Justice’s ongoing work to protect and empower workers both in California and across the country.
“This year, California rose up the ranks to become the fourth-largest economy in the world — this is no accident. It is due to the hard work, dedication, and ingenuity of our workers and our state’s longtime commitment to ensuring workers are protected,” said Attorney General Bonta. “This Labor Day, I celebrate workers nationwide and our office’s work to protect them. Over the course of the last year, we ensured companies were paying minimum wage and overtime pay, providing breaks and sick leave, and reimbursing employees for business expenses — we stood up for federal workers, nurses, teachers, custodians, truck drivers, and construction workers. In California, we champion our workers and proudly lead the work to both safeguard the hard-fought protections secured by the labor movement, and amid an ever-evolving world, lead us even further. Our workers deserve nothing less.”
Attorney General Bonta also recognized all those whose efforts keep California’s economy strong. He noted that California has developed into one of the most diverse economies in any U.S. state because of its workforce’s resilience and skill across industries such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and construction.
California continues its tradition of implementing broad worker protection laws while maintaining a strong economy. The report emphasizes that fair wages can coexist with economic growth.
The 2025 Labor Day Report outlines several DOJ initiatives from supporting nurses and janitorial staff to addressing issues like no-poach agreements and worker misclassification. The department also responded to actions at the federal level impacting worker rights.
The report includes information on key rights for employees in California: organizing or joining unions; being considered an employee regardless of job title; minimum wage entitlements; ownership over wages earned; access to various types of leave; protection against workplace harassment or discrimination; eligibility for unemployment insurance under certain conditions; entitlement to workers’ compensation benefits; refusal of unsafe work assignments; and protection from employer retaliation when exercising these rights.
A full copy of this year’s Labor Day Report is available online.
