A dramatic change to fast-food worker protection could upend the franchise framework, and while labor advocates are happy to see it advance, franchise owners aren’t entirely onboard.
State assemblymembers voted 43-13 on Thursday to approve amendments to Assembly Bill 257, the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act (FAST). The bill envisions a state-appointed council to create standards for the fast-food industry, ranging from working conditions to wages. It would also make corporations jointly liable with their franchisees to comply with the law.
The bill was introduced last year by former Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez, but failed to pass by three votes. An amended version of the bill was reintroduced earlier this week by Assemblymembers Chris Holden, Wendy Carrillo, Luz Rivas and Evan Low. Low, who represents part of Silicon Valley, did not respond to requests for comment. The state Assembly must vote on the bill by Jan. 31 to move it to the state Senate.
Silicon Valley Lawmakers Care about the average Fast-Food Employee
“This ensures workers and employers work together with state agencies to raise overall standards and protections within the industry,” Kalra said. He added the amendments did not substantially change the original bill. These frontline workers, mostly Black and Brown women, are regularly assaulted, robbed, spat on, yelled at, sworn at and told to go back to ‘their country,’” SEIU 1021 Vice President of Organizing Jennifer Esteen said in a statement.
Many business groups are staunchly opposed to the state legislation. Mark Turner, president/CEO of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, says he’s concerned the state-appointed council could require businesses to pay higher wages beyond approved minimum standards, which may force employers to reduce work staff, cut hours or invest in technology that replaces workers.
Larry Tripplett, owner of three McDonald’s franchises in Santa Clara County is already struggling with numerous challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s really been a strain because so many (employees) are catching COVID, so staffing is difficult,” Triplett said. “Then when you come up with other bureaucratic procedures like AB 257, it just adds to the difficulty of running a small business.”
