On Labor Day, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he signed landmark legislation to empower fast-food workers with new wage and workplace protections to support their health, safety and welfare. AB 257, the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), authorizes the creation of the Fast Food Council comprised of representatives from labor and management to set minimum standards for workers in the industry, including for wages, conditions related to health and safety, security in the workplace, the right to take time off from work for protected purposes and protection from discrimination and harassment.
Republicans opposed the legislation, along with three Democrats, who said the Act will drive up costs to consumers at a time of record inflation. Lawmakers did pare the bill back from its original form to get it passed after moderate Democratic legislators balked at proposals to give the new council sweeping regulatory authority over the industry. Food businesses exempt from the council’s rules include bakeries, grocery store fast food counters, and chains with fewer than 100 locations nationally. â–