On Labor Day, the governor signed legislation that was opposed by large restaurant chains that establishes a council to help improve working conditions for roughly half a million workers in the fast-food industry.
A Mcdonald's employee serves french fries.
The Fast Act will create the state's first "Fast Food Council" made up of 10 people, including workers, management and two state officials, to set policies such as worker safety and health conditions
The law will give hard working fast-food workers a stronger voice and seat at the table to set fair wages and critical health and safety standards across the industry.
The bill, which applies to restaurant chains with at least 100 locations around the country, including big corporations like Starbucks and McDonald's, and gives the council the power to set a new minimum wage of as much as $22 an hour, was signed into law last week.
McDonald's has spoken out against the legislation multiple times, arguing that it unfairly burdens larger chains by imposing higher costs on one type of restaurant, while sparing another. Two weeks ago, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce wrote a letter to the California State Senate asking them not to pass the bill.
More than one million dollars. The Fast Act has been the focus of lobbying by major corporations, including Burritos, Jack in the Box, and Restaurant brands International.
The Service Employees International Union is a labor union that represents nearly 1.9 million workers in the U.S. and Canada. Since 2012 the union group has been working on raising the minimum wage. The final Fast Act bill removed a joint liability measure that would have allowed workers and the state to hold parent companies accountable for franchise owners violating labor laws. The Senate cut measures that allowed the council to create policies on sick leave and time off benefits. The minimum wage in California will increase by 50 cents to $15.50 on New Year's Day.
The bill was passed by the state Legislature.
The minimum wage for fast food workers in California could increase to $22 an hour.
The California Senate passed a bill to regulate the fast food industry.
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