The bill, known as AB 257, creates a statewide fast-food council, which will allow workers, employers and government officials to negotiate industry standards.
Labor Day 2022 was a good one for California fast-food workers. Gov. Newsom signed a new law establishing a Fast-Food Council that allows workers to negotiate wage and working conditions on an industry-wide basis. KPBS reporter Gustavo Solis spoke with the law’s author and people who will be most impacted by it.
Zuniga, an immigrant from Mexico, has worked for Kentucky Fried Chicken in National City for the last five years. She became involved in the labor movement when she found out her manager was not giving her a 10-minute break. Zuniga has also fought against wage theft and unsafe working conditions — like spilt boiling-hot oil on the floor that she says make the kitchen slippery and unsafe.The Kentucky Fried Chicken in National City is where Karina Zuniga works. She joined the labor movement a few years ago after finding out she was not given her legally mandated 10-minute rest break.
Critics of the bill say it will make it much harder and more expensive to operate fast-food restaurants in California — and those costs will be passed on to consumers. San Diegans having lunch at fast-food restaurants in National City supported the idea of raising wages — even if it means the price of a cheeseburger could increase.“I don’t think it would hurt much because, like I said, fast food isn't a necessity,” Vargas said. “So they would be better off buying actual groceries.”“It’s a tough industry where the pay is kind of low,” Alfaro said. “So yes, they do deserve at least a couple of bucks more than the minimum wage or whatever they’re paid.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Newsom signs fast-food worker measure on Labor DayThe first-of-its-kind measure promises to give more than a half-million fast food workers more power and protection.
Read more »
California Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Providing More Power for Fast Food WorkersCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a nation-leading measure giving more than a half-million fast food workers more power and protections, despite the objections of restaurant owners who warned it would drive up consumers’ costs.
Read more »
California governor signs landmark law for fast food workersCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a landmark measure giving more than a half-million fast food workers more power and protections
Read more »
Gov. Newsom signs landmark law giving fast food workers more power, protectionsGov. Gavin Newsom signed a nation-leading measure giving more than a half-million fast food workers more power and protections, despite the objections of restaurant owners who warned it would drive up consumers' costs.
Read more »