Sectoral bargaining in other countries has been found to reduce inequality. Now some Californians are trying to follow suit.
This story originally appeared in CalMatters, an independent public interest journalism venture covering California state politics and government. This article is part of The California Divide, a collaboration among newsrooms examining income inequity and economic survival in California.
Pictured Above: Yusef Miller with the Racial Justice Coalition of San Diego speaks at a workers strike to demand passage of AB 257 in front of a Burger King in San Diego.
Amid growing awareness of inequality and jobs that don’t pay enough to cover child care and housing, California is considering a radical proposal: Allow the state to negotiate wages, hours and work conditions for an entire industry.
Proponents in the state Legislature say one solution to inequality is to empower workers to negotiate through unions, but that’s not happening in the fast food industry where frequent turnover, inexperience and intimidation make it too difficult for workers to organize. Only 3% of fast food and counter workers belong to unions nationwide.
In Sacramento, a union-backed Democratic proposal called the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act, or FAST Recovery Act, would establish a state-appointed council to enact industry-wide minimum standards for wages, working hours and work conditions. If passed by state lawmakers and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the...
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