AB-257 Opens Negotiations for Fast Food Industry Wages, Hours, & Working Conditions in California

fast-food-industryFollowing the recent list of California’s new employment laws, such as non-disclosure restrictions and enhanced wage theft laws, is a movement centered around the minimum wage, hours, and working conditions for fast food workers. As of early this month, California has started considering a proposal to negotiate these items for the fast food industry on a statewide level. 

Although fast food workers have been encouraged to unionize, experts say that factors such as high turnover rates have made it difficult for them to do so. In fact, according to Unionstats.com, approximately 3% of fast food workers worldwide are union members. In light of the issues that exist within the fast food industry, a union-supported Democratic proposal has been drawn up in Sacramento, CA.

The Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act (AB-257), otherwise known as the FAST Recovery Act, aims at establishing a state-appointed council to draft industry-wide standards for wages, hours, and working conditions. It also seeks to hold corporations responsible for compliance rather than just local franchisees. 

Although the legislation fell short of votes in June of 2021, the bill is anticipated to return in 2022. Service Employees International Union, one of the largest unions in the country, has pledged its commitment to pushing the FAST Recovery Act throughout the new year in their fight for a $15 minimum wage. 

The issue is reminiscent of the fast food strikes in late 2021, covered by NBC Los Angeles, which highlighted the long hours and low pay commonly seen in the fast food industry. November 2021 saw strikes and rallies held at McDonald’s restaurants in the Los Angeles area, with workers banding together despite the majority not belonging to a union. 

With the bill seeing early support and a likely return, the implication is that 2022 could be the year that a law such as the FAST is passed.  The final outcome remains to be seen.  Stay tuned for more updates.

 

Experienced Employment Law Attorney, Mediator, Arbitrator, Investigator, Legal and Media Commentator 

Twice-named a U.S. News Best Lawyer in America for employment and labor law, Angela Reddock-Wright is an employment and labor law attorney, mediator, arbitrator, and certified workplace and Title IX investigator (AWI-CH) in Los Angeles, CA. Known as the “Workplace Guru,” Angela is an influencer and leading authority on employment, workplace/HR, Title IX, hazing, and bullying issues. Furthermore, she’s been named a “Top California Employment Lawyer” by the Daily Journal and one of Los Angeles’ “Most Influential Minority and Women Attorneys” by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

Angela is a regular legal and media commentator and analyst and has appeared on such media outlets as Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, Law and Crime with Brian Ross, Court TV, CNN, NewsNation, ABC News, CBS News, Fox 11 News, KTLA-5, the Black News Channel, Fox Soul – The Black Report, NPR, KPCC, Airtalk-89.3, KJLH Front Page with Dominique DiPrima, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the LA Times, Forbes.com, Yahoo! Entertainment, People Magazine, Essence Magazine, the Los Angeles Sentinel, LA Focus, Daily Journal, Our Weekly and the Wave Newspapers.

Angela is a member of the panel of distinguished mediators and arbitrators with Judicate West, a California dispute resolution company. She also owns her own dispute resolution law firm, the Reddock Law Group of Los Angeles, specializing in the mediation, arbitration, and investigation of employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other workplace claims, along with Title IX, sexual harassment, assault, and misconduct conduct cases, along with hazing and bullying cases in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, fraternities and sororities; fire, police and other public safety agencies and departments; and other private and public sector workplaces.

Reddock-Wright has also launched her own radio show, Legal Lens with Angela Reddock-Wright, airing on Tavis Smiley’s new KBLA Talk 1580 radio station on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. PT with replays on subsequent Sundays. Listeners may tune-in by downloading the APP @kbla1580 and call the PowerLines at 1-800-920-1580.

For more information regarding resources for employers, businesses, and employees during this time, connect with her on LinkedIn for new updates, or contact her here. You may also follow her on Instagram.

This communication is not legal advice. It is educational only. For legal advice, consult with an experienced employment law attorney in your state or city.

 

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