This Monday, in the middle of Labor Day, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the enactment of landmark legislation to empower fast food workers with new wage and labor protections to support their health, safety and welfare.
AB 257, the Fast Food Standards and Accountability Recovery Act championed by Assemblyman Chris Holden, authorizes the creation of the Fast Food Council composed of labor and management representatives to establish minimum standards for workers in the industry, including wages, conditions related to health and safety, workplace safety, the right to be absent from work for protected purposes, and protection from discrimination and harassment.
"California is committed to ensuring that the men and women who have helped build our world-class economy can share in the state's prosperity," Newsom said.
"Today's action gives fast food workers a stronger voice and a seat at the table to establish fair wages and critical health and safety standards across the industry. I am proud to sign this legislation on Labor Day as we pay tribute to the workers who make our state work while building a stronger, more inclusive economy for all Californians," he added.
Members of the Fast Food Council at the Department of Industrial Relations will include fast food workers and their advocates, franchisees, franchisors and representatives from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development and the Department of Industrial Relations.
Given this, the law will raise the minimum wage for fast-food workers in chains with more than 100 restaurants to $22 an hour next year, up from the state minimum of $15.50 an hour.
The state legislature approved the measure last August 29. The debate was split along party lines, with Republicans opposed.
In 2021, the governor enacted legislation to protect warehouse workers from unsafe production quotas and nation-leading legislation to end the exploitation of piece-rate compensation for garment workers.
Newsom also signed a measure directing Cal/OSHA to create an advisory committee to recommend state policies to protect domestic workers and a bill to ensure that workers with disabilities receive a fair wage.
In addition, in 2019, it enacted a law giving child care workers the right to join a union and bargain collectively with the state.
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