Possible Good News for California Fast Food Workers

Tweet

On August 29th legislation was passed 47-19 called The Fast Act in California. It creates a council including members from the fast food industry, unions, and government which set an hourly wage and decides on pay increases up to 2028. The minimum wage in California now is $15 an hour but this new law will set those working in the industry with a starting wage of $22 per hour. There will be an annual increase equal to the consumer price index which will top out at 3.5%. Fast Food Franchises across the state fought the new bill saying it would raise consumer prices. Republicans were against it feeling it would bring in unions which could only be harmful to the fast food industry and Senator Brian Dahl said that no one was forcing people to work in the fast food industry and that they had the freedom to apply elsewhere if they didn't like the wages. Democrats felt this new bill was landmark legislation, that it would give protection to more vulnerable workers and allow individuals to work together to make for better working conditions. The new legislation has gone to Governor Gavin Newsome to either sign it into law or veto it by September 30th.