With overwhelming support from all stakeholders, Christine Baker, director of the Department of Industrial Relations and Rosa Moran, administrative director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation sailed through confirmation. What are the issues currently confronting the duo and what challenges do they face in the coming months. Click here to get all the answers in our video …
Cal-OSHA Reporter editorials rarely speak to confirmations. This is one of those exceptions we can’t help but make. We ask and encourage the Senate to unanimously confirm the appointment of Christine Baker as Director of the Department of Industrial Relations. Rarely have we seen as effective a leader who can both get things done and …
Christine Baker has been officially appointed director of the Department of Industrial Relations after being appointed acting and chief deputy director back in March. Employers and labor representatives are very happy with the appointment already crediting Baker with taking big steps to introduce efficiencies and crack down on the underground economy. Baker’s formal appointment as …
The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) is beefing up its training and procedures after a California State Auditor Report concluded that a DIR official and supervisor failed to adequately monitor time reporting of four employees in violation of state regulations and DIR policies. According to the report, the state auditor received an allegation that one …
During his confirmation hearing yesterday, Marty Morgenstern, Governor Jerry Brown’s choice to be Secretary of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, told California Senators that he thinks the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) could benefit from some slimming down. Morgenstern testified on a number of topics before the Senate Rules Committee including a re-organization within …
One of the most significant pieces of occupational safety and health legislation in recent years is on its way to the governor. After months of negotiations with labor, employers removed their opposition to AB 2774, authored by Sandre Swanson (D-Oakland), a strong indication that the governor will sign it. Negotiations were also successful thanks to …
California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is investigating a workplace death reported Aug. 13 to state Department of Parks and Recreation from hantavirus. The worker was a park aide at Bodie State Park in Bridgeport. Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) press officer Krisann Chasarik says the man worked at the front desk of a …
After an outcry from its staff, the Department of Industrial Relations has revised its approach to digging into Cal/OSHA inspectors’ outside teaching activities, limiting the scope of the inquiry and extending the deadline to respond until the end of the month. Reaction to the original audit has been resoundingly negative, likely leading to the March …