[Mick]

If college athletes are classified as employees; California Assembly Bill 5, effective January 2020, forces the employer to treat them as all other employees, not as independent contractors.  That would mean all benefits paid to Stanford employees would also have to be paid to the athletes.  This would become unworkable in many ways.  There would have to be some amendments made to California laws about employees.

what stanford staff benefits worry you? isn't health insurance the most costly benefit? all stanford students are already required to carry health insurance. starting in 2024, both staff and students have aetna health insurance; ok, stanford staff can pay higher premiums for a larger provider panel, and students only have access to the smaller epo panel, but i don't think that's much more costly to the school. certainly  athletes deserve disability insurance if they don't already have it. 3 weeks vacation? they already have that. 12 weeks unpaid fmla (family medical leave act)? don't athletes already get to take time off for illness and family emergency?  doesn't seem prohibitive.

now, title 9,  that does seem a hurdle - or a boon to female athletes, depending how the universities play it.

Stanford would have to pay for workman's compensation, which isn't the same thing as health insurance. That could be quite expensive for athletes who are well-paid. They would also have to pay half the FICA, which is another considerable expense. Equally importantly, many state regulatory agencies, such as CAL OSHA would gain jurisdiction on workplace safety etc. Obviously the various unions would also be able to organize the athletes. In short, it would be a majorly expensive undertaking at best. At worst, it could be a litigious nightmare.

It is not that it can't be done. It can, but only if the athletic departments function as a business. They don't now.

Schools in CA will be at a of immense proportions disadvantage due to the onerous employment laws and regulations. The schools will struggle with compliance in a myriad of areas while the PAGA mills will have a field day bring class action suits.

Can't wait until the first union organization meetings are held. Those will be fun. Is there much, if any, organizing on the Stanford campus among administrative staff?

[Mick]

If college athletes are classified as employees; California Assembly Bill 5, effective January 2020, forces the employer to treat them as all other employees, not as independent contractors.  That would mean all benefits paid to Stanford employees would also have to be paid to the athletes.  This would become unworkable in many ways.  There would have to be some amendments made to California laws about employees.

what stanford staff benefits worry you? isn't health insurance the most costly benefit? all stanford students are already required to carry health insurance. starting in 2024, both staff and students have aetna health insurance; ok, stanford staff can pay higher premiums for a larger provider panel, and students only have access to the smaller epo panel, but i don't think that's much more costly to the school. certainly  athletes deserve disability insurance if they don't already have it. 3 weeks vacation? they already have that. 12 weeks unpaid fmla (family medical leave act)? don't athletes already get to take time off for illness and family emergency?  doesn't seem prohibitive.

now, title 9,  that does seem a hurdle - or a boon to female athletes, depending how the universities play it.

Stanford would have to pay for workman's compensation, which isn't the same thing as health insurance. That could be quite expensive for athletes who are well-paid. They would also have to pay half the FICA, which is another considerable expense. Equally importantly, many state regulatory agencies, such as CAL OSHA would gain jurisdiction on workplace safety etc. Obviously the various unions would also be able to organize the athletes. In short, it would be a majorly expensive undertaking at best. At worst, it could be a litigious nightmare.

It is not that it can't be done. It can, but only if the athletic departments function as a business. They don't now.

Schools in CA will be at a of immense proportions disadvantage due to the onerous employment laws and regulations. The schools will struggle with compliance in a myriad of areas while the PAGA mills will have a field day bring class action suits.

Can't wait until the first union organization meetings are held. Those will be fun. Is there much, if any, organizing on the Stanford campus among administrative staff?