Transportation 39

Independent contractors in the trucking industry could interpret pending California legislation as further incentive to claim employee status a s a convenient way to recast their relationship with motor carriers to obtain a windfall of funds.  California Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla introduced Assembly Bill 240  on Thursday, February 3, 2011 as a means to expand employees' ability to recover for minimum wage violations.  The proposed legislation would allow the state's labor commissioner to award liquidated damages in minimum wage disputes, relief that currently can only be handed out by courts.  Liquidated damages if awarded would be in addition to any statutory damages awarded for such violations.  Employers can currently avoid liquidated damages awards if they make a showing of good faith.  Assembly Bill 240 is in committee at present.