Age Non-discrimination Bill On Way To Governor

Legislation giving older workers broader protections against age discrimination by their employers is on its way to the governor´s desk.

The bill by Assemblywoman Gloria McCloud of Chino was approved today by the state Senate. It would overturn a state Supreme Court decision that said employers may grant younger workers better benefits than their older counterparts.

The ruling went against a former Union Oil Company telecommunications specialist who sued the company after it refused to pay his master´s degree tuition.

Union Oil had paid for the graduate education of younger workers, however.

The court said current state law protects workers over 40 against discrimination in hiring and firing and when it comes to demoting or suspending employees. But justices said the law does not prohibit age discrimination in the furnishing of employee benefits.