Your guide to California’s new $20-an-hour minimum wage for fast food workers
California’s mandatory minimum wage for fast-food workers took effect Monday, with $20 an hour now in place.
Here is what we know from the pages of The Times:
Background
The pay increase established by Assembly Bill 1228 applies to California fast food workers employed by any chain with more than 60 locations nationwide and covers corporate-owned and franchised locations. The state has more than 540,000 fast food workers, about 195,000 of them in Los Angeles and Orange counties, according to the latest May 2022 figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Fast-food chains are looking to hike the cost of menu items because they’re required to pay their employees $20 an hour starting Monday.
The change
The previous minimum wage in California, regardless of industry, was $16 an hour — meaning many cashiers, line and prep cooks, counter attendants and baristas will see as much as a 25% raise overnight. Here is an overview.
Fast-food chains plan to raise prices in response to the state’s $20 minimum wage for their workers, potentially affecting a swath of L.A. that relies on the eateries.
Rising prices?
Some fast food operators said they plan to raise prices — or are considering doing so. While Chipotle has not yet announced a final decision on new pricing, many other chains like McDonald’s, Starbucks and Jack in the Box say they are planning to push the wage increase onto consumers or change their operations. Here is a look at what other changes chains have in mind.
New council
Along with the higher minimum wage, the new law established a Fast Food Council — composed of business and labor representatives — that has the authority to set future pay increases (at a maximum of 3.5% a year) and develop standards on working conditions and employee safety and training.
With the state’s mandatory minimum wage for fast-food workers set to increase to $20 an hour, many restaurant chains are preparing to raise prices.
More reading
‘I feel duped’: Inside the fast-food industry’s push to dismantle a new California labor law
Labor, business reach deal to raise fast-food wages and end California ballot fight
Minimum-wage workers in these California cities are getting a raise in 2024
Higher prices on the menu as fast-food chains brace for California’s big minimum wage jump
Starbucks, Chipotle, McDonald’s: Who’s raising prices as California fast-food law starts today
More to Read
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