The year 2022 has emerged as the unofficial Year of Workers' Rights. The unfolding Starbucks unionization saga has been full of highs and lows on both sides but has already led to the successful utilization of at least 245 stores nationwide (per Reuters). In January 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City passed the "Just Cause" rule, which dictates that fast food employers cannot legally terminate their employees without providing legitimate evidence of their fallibility, per NYC.gov. Employers are also forbidden from reducing employee hours by more than 15% without reason. Now, fast food workers in California are next in line to receive their well-deserved rights.
According to The Sacramento Bee, roughly 550,000 fast food industry workers are employed in California. Per NBC, the current minimum wage in the state is $15.50/hour, with more than 200% more likely to live in poverty than state employees working in any other sector; about 52% rely on public aid, and 85% have experienced wage theft, per a press release sent to Tasting Table by Fight for $15 and a Union.
That's why, in September 2022, California's fast food bill was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. The FAST Recovery Act (aka AB 257) was passed to protect industry workers' rights (via the National Restaurant Association), and perhaps unsurprisingly, it has already been met with intense opposition. But Sacramento fast food workers are protesting to protect their rights and retain their newly-won voice — a...
CHARLOTTE — A man is suing Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden and his office, claiming incorrect charges were posted on the county’s public mugshot website, damaging his reputation. Joseph ...