Fast food may remain affordable for at least another year in California, but possibly at the expense of increased wages for the industry's workers.
AB 257, or the FAST Act, also known as Fast Food Recovery Act, was signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 5 to go into effect in January. Two days later, the FAST Act was met with a voter referendum effort to block the law.
A million signatures and 90 days later, the block proved successful. The law can’t be implemented unless it wins a ballot vote in November 2024.
The FAST Act would give an appointed 10-member state council, or “Fast Food Council,” wide-ranging authority over fast food and fast casual restaurants in California with more than 100 locations nationwide. The council could raise the minimum wage to $22 per hour in 2023 and up to 3.5% annually after that. It could also set minimum standards for working conditions, maximum hours worked, security, and more.
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) claims the bill gives workers “a seat at the table to help set wage, health, safety, training standards across fast-food industry,” while opponents claim food prices would soar as much as 22%, bringing further...
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