BILL NUMBER: SB 789 VETOED DATE: 09/02/2009 To the Members of the California State Senate: I am returning Senate Bill 789 without my signature. This measure is identical to measures I have previously vetoed. SB 789 sets in place a "majority signup election" process for agricultural employees to select union representation. This process fundamentally alters an employee's right to a secret ballot election that allows the employee to choose, in the privacy of the voting booth without coercion or manipulation, whether or not to be represented. While I support the right of agricultural employees to voluntarily seek and choose representation if they wish, and ensuring that existing labor laws are enforced is a top priority for my administration, I cannot support this alteration of the secret ballot process. For these reasons, I am returning SB 789 without my signature. Sincerely, Arnold Schwarzenegger