California signed off a landmark new law that could pave the way for a $22 minimum wage for fast-food workers. Here's how the state's fast food council will work.

The new law signed by the governor could lead to a minimum wage of $22 an hour for fast-food workers.

Minimum standards for workers in the fast food industry, ranging from wages and training to health and safety, and protection from discrimination and harassment, can be set by the bill. Workers at Mcdonald's, Starbucks, Burger King, and Subway are covered by this.

"For years, the fast food sector has been rife with abuse, low pay, few benefits, and minimal job security, with California workers subject to high rates of employment violations, including wage theft, sexual harassment and discrimination," the bill says.

Fast food workers are the largest and fastest growing group of low wage workers in the state.

The minimum wage for restaurants covered by the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act will not be higher than $22 an hour. It can be adjusted for inflation with increases each year.

AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

The minimum wage in California is fifteen dollars an hour for companies with more than twenty employees.

Fast-food restaurant employees in the state have to sign a petition to approve the creation of the council.

The council would have to hold public meetings at least every six months and conduct a full review of the fast-food restaurant health, safety, and employment standards.

One representative from the Department of Industrial Relations, two representatives each of fast-food franchisors and franchisee, two representatives each of fast-food workers and their advocates, and one representative from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development would make up the group.

Council members would get $100 a day if they attend a meeting or perform other official work for it, as well as travel expenses.

The Local Fast Food Council can be established in counties and cities with more than 200,000 people.

Minimum standards on wages, working hours, and other working conditions will be established by the council.

Many restaurant workers quit their jobs due to poor wages, a lack of benefits, rude customers, and a lack of protection from the coronaviruses.

The bills say that the crisis in a sector with a poor history of compliance with workplace health and safety regulations has consequences for workers and the public.

There is a lack of access to personal protective equipment, workers being denied sick pay, and fast food failing to inform workers of exposure to COVID-19.

The bill was first proposed in January of 2021.

Some franchisees, restaurant trade associations, and right-wing politicians have opposed the bill, questioning why it excludes chains with less than 100 restaurants and saying it will drive up menu prices.