If Gov. Gavin Newsom signs it, one union leader said the measure "will be the most important piece of labor law to pass in decades."

In the face of fierce corporate opposition, the California Senate on Monday passed a landmark bill aimed at giving the state's roughly 550,000 fast food workers a say over their working conditions, hours, and wages in an industry rife with abuse.

"It sets the standard for what states and cities around the country should be doing to support workers."

If Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signs it into law, the Fast Food Recovery Act (AB 257) would make California the first state in the U.S. to establish a council tasked with setting industrywide workplace standards for the fast food sector. The 10-member council would include workers and worker advocates as well as business representatives and state officials.

Newsom has not said whether he will sign the bill, but his Department of Finance argued against the legislation in a recent analysis, claiming it "could lead to a fragmented regulatory and legal environment for employers and raise long-term costs across industries."

Union leaders strongly disagree with that assessment. Mary Kay Henry, international president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), said the measure "will be the most important piece of labor law to pass in decades" if it's enacted.

"It will give 550,000 fast food workers a chance to sit down with government and their employers to decide wages and working...

Read Full Story: https://www.commondreams.org/news/2022/08/30/watershed-moment-ca-senate-passe...