Business
Voters Will Determine Fate of Fast-Food Workers Pay Raise
Last September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 257 into law. Supporters of the legislation, authored by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), hailed it for its promise to provide a minimum wage and improve working conditions for fast food workers.
By Edward Henderson
California Black Media
Last September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 257 into law. Supporters of the legislation, authored by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), hailed it for its promise to provide a minimum wage and improve working conditions for fast food workers.
But late last month, the future of AB 257 — also known as “the Fast Act” or “the Fast Food Recovery Act” — came into question. California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber’s office announced that a referendum seeking to overturn the law had gathered enough signatures to be placed on the November 2024 ballot.
“To qualify for the ballot,” the Secretary of State’s office wrote, “the referendum needed 623,212 valid petition signatures, which is equal to 5% of the total votes cast for governor in the November 2018 general election.
When AB 257 passed last year along party lines, it authorized the establishment of the Fast-Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act or FAST Recovery Act. The bill established the Fast Food Council within the Department of Industrial Relations, to be comprised of 10 members appointed by the governor, the speaker of the Assembly, and the Senate Rules Committee.
According to the bill’s language, the purpose of the council is to establish “sector-wide minimum standards on wages (up to $22/hour in 2023 with capped annual increases), working hours, and other working conditions related to the health, safety, and welfare of, and supplying the necessary cost of proper living to, fast food restaurant workers, as well as effecting interagency coordination and prompt agency responses in this regard.” The act prohibits retaliation against fast-food workers for making certain workplace complaints.
Opponents of AB 257, led by a coalition called Save Local Restaurants, gathered more than 1 million signatures on a referendum petition. About 712,000 of them were deemed valid by Weber’s office, thus putting the referendum on the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot.
The Los Angeles Times published an article telling the stories of 14 voters who say they were misled by canvassers collecting signatures for the referendum. Many of them said that information was withheld from them about the nature of the campaign and were simply told it would support fast food workers.
But the laws’ opponents insist that their challenge to AB 257 is widely supported.
“California voters have made clear that they want a say on whether they must shoulder the burden of higher prices and job losses caused by the FAST Act,” said Save Local Restaurants in their press release. “This legislation singles out the quick service restaurant industry by establishing an unelected council to control labor policy, which would cause a sharp increase in food costs and push many Californians, particularly in disenfranchised communities, to the breaking point.”
The referendum means that the law is suspended until the November 2024 election when voters will decide whether to repeal it.
Holden, who is a former franchise owner said he believes AB 257 would protect both owners and employees — if those opposing the law allow it to work.
“Given, the final version of the bill removed many expressed concerns of subpoena power and joint-liability. While, strengthening the oversight role of the Legislature, providing for equal Sector Council representation and adding a sunset clause to evaluate effectiveness. As a result, this first in the nation worker protection bill is worthy to become law in California,” Holden said when Newsom signed the law last year.
Labor advocates believe the legislation could create a precedent in the U.S for negotiating workplace standards, which would, in turn, revolutionize the collective bargaining process.
However, the coalition of businesses opposing the law feel it would leave businesses with higher labor costs and hiked-up food prices.
According to the nonpartisan Fair Political Practices Commission, fast-food corporations and business trade groups including In-N-Out, Chipotle, Chick-Fil-A, McDonald’s, Starbucks and the National Restaurant Association donated millions to support the referendum effort.
“The FAST Act is bad policy that threatens not only quick service restaurants, but the independents operating in the same neighborhoods,” National Restaurant Association Executive Vice President for Public Affairs Sean Kennedy said in a press release. “There is no way that the regulations passed by this unelected council would not damage the state’s restaurant industry, harm its workforce, and leave diners paying the bill.
“We’re pleased that Californians will get the chance to exercise their constitutional right to vote on this law and will continue to support the operators, small business owners, and workers that make the restaurant industry so important to our customers’ lives.”
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of March 29 – April 4, 2023
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 29 – April 4, 2023
To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window. 
By Carla Thomas
Glamorous hats, St. John suits, Ferragamo shoes, and more glitzy fashion adorned some of the most powerful women in the San Francisco Bay Area at the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea.
Themed “Bridging the Generations,” the event was held in the Venetian Room of the Nob Hill Fairmont Hotel on Saturday, March 11, where more than 400 women celebrated the beauty, strength and resilience of Black women.
Frances Cohen, president of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF chapter at the Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea. Photo by Carla Thomas.
The annual fundraiser gave guests an afternoon of sipping tea, sampling desserts and appetizers while exchanging stories, and sharing a special bond with other Black women in the community.
Guests also took pictures, participated in both silent and live auctions with proceeds benefitting the NCBW-SF’s educational, financial and civic programs. Due to the pandemic, the in-person tea event had been postponed for three years.
Ida Hurst is pretty in pink at the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea. Photo by Carla Thomas.
A passion-filled keynote speech by educator and community advocate Dr. Veronica Hunnicutt, founder of the Hunnicutt Foundation, encouraged established women to assist other women on their career, educational and political journeys.
“Were it not for the Honorable Doris Ward, I would not have had the numerous opportunities I’ve had,” Hunnicutt said. “Exercise your gifts, they will carry you far.”
Hunnicutt is also the author of the “Straight Talk,” book series to empower young Black men and women. Well known as an education change agent, she serves as dean for San Francisco City College’s Southeast campus in the Bay View district of the city.
During her speech, Hunnicutt humbly gave thanks to NCBW SF president Sharon Lee and shared the accomplishments of comrades and colleagues throughout the room. She also paid homage to her own mother for providing a solid foundation in life and for being a straight-forward parent.
Guests (l-r) Mary Cole, Barbara Henry and Mary Dixon show off their outfits at the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea, “Bridging the Generations.” Photo by Carla Thomas.
Honorees of excellence included Wanda M. Holland Green of The Hamlin School who was presented with the Education Award. Joi Jackson Morgan of Third Street Youth Center and Clinic received the Trailblazer Award, and the Community Service Award was presented to Shakirah Simley of the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center.
Ingrid Merriwether of Merriwether & Williams Insurance received the Entrepreneur Award and Aline Armstrong of the San Francisco Department of Public Health received the Health Award.
Dr. Veronica Hunnicutt praised her mother and Doris Ward in her keynote address for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea. Photo by Carla Thomas.
The Art Award was presented to visual artist, Karen Seneferu, founder of “The Black Woman is GOD” exhibit and the Advocacy Award was presented to Healing 4 Our Families & Our Nation founder, Mattie Scott. The Golden Girl Award was presented to Cathy Davis of the Bay View Senior Services Agency and the Golden State Warriors received the Corporate Award.
NCBW SF President, Sharon Lee said, “I am so grateful to have the opportunity to have our Tea in person and honor eight individuals and one corporation who have demonstrated their commitment to supporting our community.”
Dr. Veronica Hunnicutt, CEO of the Hunnicutt Foundation keynotes the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) SF Golden Girls Hats and Gloves Tea. Photo courtesy NCBW SF.
Health Committee Chair Carletta Jackson Lane said, “The thing I love most about our Tea is that it allows Black women to come together in one place to enjoy each other and celebrate each other as we raise funds for our community programming.”
Former president of the organization Maxine Hickman of Hickman Homes said, “our Tea gives us an opportunity to celebrate the best of us by awarding our honorees and raising funds for our year-round programming in education, health, economic empowerment, and public policy.”
The events program booklet featured an ad for the Doris Ward Workforce Job Training Program offering women ages 18-59 a paid leadership development skills course. For more information visit: ncbw-sf.org.
BayCityNews
State Attorney General Issues Consumer Alert for Storm Price Gouging
In response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s declaration of a state of emergency, California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned consumers that price gouging during the state’s series of storms is illegal. On Wednesday, Bonta issued a consumer alert reminding residents that it is against the law for sellers to increase prices by over 10%. The law applies to sellers with food, emergency or medical supplies, building materials and gasoline for sale.
By Bay City News
In response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s declaration of a state of emergency, California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned consumers that price gouging during the state’s series of storms is illegal.
On Wednesday, Bonta issued a consumer alert reminding residents that it is against the law for sellers to increase prices by over 10%. The law applies to sellers with food, emergency or medical supplies, building materials and gasoline for sale.
Also prohibited are extreme price spikes for reconstruction services, cleanup services, transportation services and rental housing and hotel accommodations.
Sellers are exempt from the prohibition if the price of labor, goods or materials have increased.
Violators are subject to fines up to $10,000 or a one-year county jail sentence, and civil penalities.
Californians who believe they were a victim of price gouging are urged to report the incident to local authorities or to Bonta’s office at oag.ca.gov/report.
Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.
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