I've been writing about this for several years now, and warning that the same provisions are included in the stalled — for now — Democrats' national labor bill, and in NJ, and in NY

California’s anti-gig law, AB5, is about to go into effect.

Red State: CA’s AB5 About to Throw Another Major Wrench in the Supply Chain, and 70,000 Truckers in Limbo

“The US Supreme Court on June 28 declined to review a challenge by truck drivers to California’s controversial labor law AB5, meaning that it now goes into effect. The decision will throw up to 70,000 California truckers into legal limbo and further pressure the already-stressed supply chain.

“AB5 is a labor classification law that was designed to force gig-economy companies like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash to classify workers as employees, instead of as independent contractors, meaning they’d be eligible for benefits. Of course, lobbyists from those tech giants managed to get their companies exempted. [along with Hollywood’s musicians and freelance writers. And architects and lawyers, of course, because — well, because they have clout. ED]

“RedState has reported extensively on AB5 in the past.

“Truckers weren’t as lucky as Uber and Lyft, and they now must come into compliance with the law. Bloomberg reports on the serious implications to the state’s huge number of truck owner-operators:”

Almost a dozen truckers told Bloomberg News they’re unsure how to comply with California’s Assembly Bill 5, which requires workers satisfy a three-part test to be considered independent contractors, or else be seen as employees entitled to job benefits. The trucking industry relies on contractors — who until now have had flexibility to operate on their own terms — and has fought to be exempt from state regulations for years.

“Nearly all the state’s goods are transported by truck, so any disruption to the system is certain to be profound—and likely to spill over into the nation’s supply chain. Truckers aren’t even sure how to proceed. “We have never gotten any good answers from anyone official in California on how this is supposed to be enforced or how our members can comply,” said Norita Taylor, the director of public relations at the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.”

Per Bloomberg:

More than 70% of truckers serving some of the country’s largest ports — including Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland — are owner-operators, and AB5 will govern their relationships with carriers, brokers and shippers in most cases, according to the CTA.

The timing of the Supreme Court’s decision will also create chaos. “This denial couldn’t have come at a worse time,” said Eric Sauer, senior vice president for government affairs at the CTA. “We’re in peak harvest season. We’re also in peak construction season. And this is the time for peak holiday imports coming into the ports.”

There’s a good chance you’ll be looking at some empty shelves in your grocery store soon.

Kevin McMaster, vice president of carrier sales at Flock Freight, told Bloomberg that many carriers will be forced to downsize because the cost of employing all these owner-operated trucks would be too high. He continued:

This would cause a ripple effect in the industry, pushing many drivers who don’t want to apply for their own authority to lease out of state, likely in Arizona or Nevada, and even force some into retirement due to increased market pressures. There will likely be pressure added on capacity in California that could exacerbate an already tough environment where drivers are at a premium.