This post originally appeared in the June 29 Morning Report. Get the daily newsletter in the inbox here.
A bill to establish a California fast food council passed another hurdle Tuesday, freeing the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The original iteration of AB 257 was introduced by Lorena Gonzalez before she left the Assembly. She and others gathered last month in front of Jack in the Box headquarters in San Diego for a new state body that could set minimum standards for wages, working conditions and training. The bill now gives the legislature the right to modify or prevent the entry into force of any bill.
Fast food workers and union leaders say the bill is necessary because of low wages, wage theft and working conditions. At a hearing on Tuesday, one worker said her manager denied her free time after an abortion. Before he voted in favor, Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco said national labor laws and the franchise model have made collective bargaining across the industry almost impossible.
Opponents, including chamber groups and business owners, have argued that existing state law is already enough to punish both franchisees and fast food corporations if they break the law. By law, corporations would be jointly and severally liable for any violations of the law, which would lead to one owner complaining that the franchisees would actually become middle managers.
MP Chris Holden has vowed to continue working with opponents on possible amendments so the law could change in the coming weeks. Senator Brian Jones, who represents parts of East and North counties, voted against, but did not say why.
