Fast food workers have more rights under new law

By Sheri Williams

Fast food workers have new rights about working conditions and pay under a bill signed on Labor Day.

AB 257, the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act authored by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), creates the Fast Food Council, a new state body that will help workers have a say in working conditions.

The bill was championed by the Fight for $15 and SEIU.

The passage of AB 257 gives workers the power of a much-needed voice and brings us closer to that goal,” the AFL-CIO said in a statement. “Raising wages for fast-food workers will help vulnerable communities, particularly the Black, Brown and immigrant women who make up the vast majority of fast-food workers in California. This is part of the national wave of worker activism and organizing. Employers need to listen to their workers who are demanding unions and a voice on the job and work with them. Starbucks, McDonald’s, Amazon, Delta—all need to stop fighting their own workers who clearly desire engaging in collective action and having a seat at the bargaining table.”

The new board is comprised of representatives from labor and management to set minimum standards for workers in the industry, including for wages, conditions related to health and safety, security in the workplace, the right to take time off from work for protected purposes and protection from discrimination and harassment, according to a statement from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

“Governor Newsom’s signature on AB 257 makes this Labor Day a historic one and shows what’s possible when working people unite and raise our voices,” said Anneisha Williams, a Los Angeles fast-food worker and leader in the Fight for $15 and a Union. “We’ve gone on strike, marched in the streets and rallied across the state to make sure our demand for a voice on the job was heard even as powerful corporations pulled out all the stops to silence us. We look forward to having a say in creating safe and healthy workplaces across the fast-food industry and to AB 257 serving as a model for workers across the country who desperately need a seat at the table.”

“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,” said Newsom. “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. I’m proud to sign this legislation on Labor Day when we pay tribute to the workers who keep our state running as we build a stronger, more inclusive economy for all Californians.”