Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's recent signing of California's Workers' Compensation Reform Bill, which promises to save up to $7 billion a year for the state's employers, caused IPC's California Circuits Association (CCA) to applaud this decision.

"During the most recent Sacramento Day, IPC and many of its California-based members heavily lobbied the state's legislature on the overwhelming need to fix the state's broken workers' compensation system-one that doesn't sufficiently provide protection for injured workers and yet costs employers an alarming amount in premium costs," said Dick Crowe, IPC CCA's executive director. "The issue ranked as one of the most contentious facing California employers, and it's thrilling to see that our voices were heard in the state's capitol.

"Though just one of several industry groups pushing for this reform, IPC's CCA and its members collectively played an important role in bringing about success," Crowe cointinued. "Lobbying is a legitimate and concerted way to influence responsible legislation and it remains a key benefit of IPC membership."

Effective immediately, the reform seeks to simplify the current program for treating job-related injuries and provide financial relief to California's employers that presently face the nation's highest workers' compensation costs.

Under the new law, workers will now be required to seek care from a list of doctors approved by employers and insurance companies for treating injured workers. Also, workers' rights to seek a second opinion will be limited, as an independent medical review board will be established to resolve disputes and allow injured workers to switch physicians.

Efforts from IPC to convince California's Senators and Assemblymen of the need for workers' compensation reform began at its first Sacramento Day event in 2003, which gave all companies in the electronic interconnection industry with operations in California an opportunity to lobby Assembly Members and Senators. Over the past two years, IPC also arranged frequent plant visits for state legislators and prompted its California members to participate in various letter writing campaigns.

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