Labor
After a tough year for restaurants, Biden wants to eliminate the tip credit
The Maine Wire 1/17
The incoming president last week released a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package that, in addition to $1,400 stimulus checks and a bailout of the states, includes an increase to the federal minimum wage, from $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour while also eliminating the tip credit.
Biden minimum wage proposal could lift more than 1 million workers out of poverty
CBS News 1/16
President-elect Joe Biden’s proposal to more than double the federal minimum wage would provide an urgently pay hike to millions of low-income workers and help stem inequality in the U.S., economists and labor advocates said.
Food Industry Policy
New Tech Tools Blur the Service Lines for Restaurants
QSR Magazine 1/18
Innovation emerging from the pandemic is changing the definitions of restaurant categories as we know them.
Bill Aims to Empower CA Fast Food Workers’ to Fight for Safe Workplaces
East County Today 1/15
As fast food workers nationwide strike for fair wages, today California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) introduced Assembly Bill 257, the first statewide legislation to address workplace health and safety issues that have long-plagued the fast food industry and have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the Side
Nonprofit Set to Launch All Women-Owned Restaurant Week in L.A.
The Hollywood Reporter 1/17
Running Jan. 21-30, the 10-day fest will include more than 100 eateries as organizers attempt to boost female-run businesses that have suffered during the pandemic.
Local diner sues Sacramento County, state over business fees assessed during pandemic
The Sacramento Bee 1/16
Brookfields is leading a class action lawsuit against Sacramento County and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, alleging restaurants shouldn’t have to pay full governmental fees while hampered by COVID-19 health orders. Attorney Brian Kabateck of Los Angeles-based law firm Kabateck LLP has filed sister lawsuits on behalf of restaurateurs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange counties, with Placer, Monterey, Alameda, Contra Costa, Riverside and San Bernadino counties to follow.