California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Fast-Food Worker Bill, Paving the Path to $22 an Hour Minimum Wage

 

$20 fast-food burger incoming…

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) on Monday signed a new fast-food bill that will pave the path for $22 an hour minimum wage.

The new measure passed by Democrat officials and signed by Democrat Governor Newsom, will create a 10-member council with the power to set minimum wage to $22 an hour.

“California is committed to ensuring that the men and women who have helped build our world-class economy are able to share in the state’s prosperity,” Newsom said in a statement. “Today’s action gives hardworking fast food workers a stronger voice and seat at the table to set fair wages and critical health and safety standards across the industry.” 

Democrat Assemblywoman Luz Rivas celebrated the new bill and called it a “watershed moment in the history of the labor movement, led by Black and Latino fast food workers…”

CBS News reported:

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a nation-leading measure giving more than a half-million fast food workers more power and protections, despite the objections of restaurant owners who warned it would drive up consumers’ costs.

The landmark law creates a 10-member Fast Food Council with equal numbers of workers’ delegates and employers’ representatives, along with two state officials, empowered to set minimum standards for wages, hours and working conditions in California.

Newsom said he was proud to sign the measure into law on Labor Day.

The law caps minimum wage increases for fast-food workers at chains with more than 100 restaurants at $22 an hour next year, compared to the statewide minimum of $15.50 an hour, with cost of living increases thereafter.

The state legislature approved the measure on Aug. 29. Debate split along party lines, with Republicans opposed. Sen. Brian Dahle, the Republican nominee for governor in November, had called it “a steppingstone to unionize all these workers.”

Restaurant owners and franchisers cited an analysis they commissioned by the UC Riverside Center for Economic Forecast and Development saying that the legislation would increase consumer costs.