Amid the fight over a bill passed last year that would have raised the minimum wage for California fast food workers to $22 an hour, it appears workers will have to settle for a $20 an hour minimum wage instead. Could.
The legislature is set to consider Assembly Bill 1228, which would amend a bill passed last year that would set a larger minimum wage for workers. Implementation of the previous bill was blocked because the fast food industry led a petition against the bill.
If approved, the new law will take effect in April 2024.
McDonald’s was one of many companies Objection to previous law. In-N-Out, Chipotle, McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A all spent more than $11 million to protest the $22 minimum wage law, according to state data.
Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, said the previous bill would not help workers and could increase costs by 20%. Additionally, a council consisting of representatives from restaurants and franchisees will be tasked with creating standards for working hours and minimum safety standards.
Lawmakers argued that the previous law went beyond the minimum wage for workers. He said fast food operators failed to protect workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The National Restaurant Association, which spent more than $5 million opposing the increases, expressed concern that the legislation would spur similar efforts to raise the minimum wage for fast food workers elsewhere.
“We cannot allow these same walls and barriers to be built in other jurisdictions, so we will invest our time and resources in ensuring that this harmful law does not spread,” said Shawn Kennedy, executive vice president of public affairs at National. ” The restaurant association said earlier.
The updated proposal still needs approval from the state’s Democratic-led legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom.