On Monday, two women's workplace bills were moved forward by the Assembly; the bills support equity for women in the workplace, particularly for cheerleaders and women who are expected to be short-changed by California's worker's compensation system. Both the bills have been authored by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego.

When it comes to AB 202, employers together with the National Football League need to give equal rights to professional cheerleaders similar to those given to other employees.

And under AB 305, the state's worker's compensation system will be banned from discounting a female worker's claim on the basis of conditions that mainly have an effect on women; these include breast cancer, pregnancy, menopause, osteoporosis or a psychiatric disability associated with those diseases.

According to Gonzalez, the entire assembly together with some Republicans supported the bills. Both the bills are required to be approved by the state Senate and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown to turn into law.

Gonzalez said by phone, "All work is valuable. All workers deserve respect. These are both steps in the fight". Some teams consider cheerleaders as volunteers and provide minimal financial compensation to them. In recent years, the Charger Girls have been paid $75 per game; they are contracted by a third party and they give performance at all San Diego Chargers home games.

Gonzalez said that considering the tasks performed by professional cheer squads, together with the hours of practices and public appearances, she thinks that many professional cheerleaders are being considered as employees; however are getting the minimum wage, workers compensation benefits and overtime pay compared to other employees.

According to reports, six Republicans, voted for Gonzalez' worker's compensation bill, together with R-Escondido, Assemblywoman Marie Waldron, Assemblyman Brian Maienschein and R-San Diego.