Labor
Democrats Introduce Bill to Set $15 Minimum Wage, Eliminate Tipped Wages by 2027
Eater 1/27
Seven states currently do not permit a tip credit, meaning there is no separate, lower minimum wage for employees that collect gratuities. Those states are California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Minnesota, Montana, and Alaska.
DOL Revokes Opinion Letters on Tip Pooling, Contractor Rules
Bloomberg 1/26
The U.S. Department of Labor withdrew three opinion letters on now-frozen independent contracting and tip-pooling rules the Trump administration advanced in its final days. DOL’s Wage and Hour Division Tuesday revoked letters allowing select businesses to continue classifying manufacturing distributors and truck drivers as independent contractors and restating the department’s position on tip pooling.
Food Industry Policy
Wine Country restaurants, wineries dismiss lawsuit against Newsom over outdoor dining
San Francisco Chronicle 1/28
The 50 Wine Country restaurants, wineries and related small businesses that recently sued Gov. Gavin Newsom over the outdoor dining ban dismissed their lawsuit on Thursday.
Everything You Need to Know About Outdoor Dining in SF
Thrillist 1/27
San Francisco got some amazing news this week. After a month and a half of being relegated to take out and delivery, we can finally go to restaurants again. Of course, it’s outdoor dining only.
Patio dining is back in Fresno. Here are some restaurants, bars that are reopening
The Fresno Bee 1/27
Patio dining is back. As Gov. Gavin Newsom lifted the regional stay-at-home order Monday, restaurants in Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced and Tulare counties can once again offer outdoor dining.
On the Side
Chipotle Starts Testing Carside Pickup
QSR Magazine 1/28
Chipotle announced Thursday it is testing “Chipotle Carside” at 29 restaurants in California. For the first time, customers can get Chipotle delivered right to their parked cars using the Chipotle app. When ordering from participating restaurants, guests can select “Carside Pickup” in the checkout section of the Chipotle app.
Being a Restaurant Cook Is Now the Riskiest Job in California Thanks to COVID-19
Eater Los Angeles 1/27
A new study out of the University of California at San Francisco’s Epidemiology and Biostatistics department has taken a look at high-risk jobs within the context of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in California. Per UCSF’s data, restaurant cooks carry the most risk of COVID-19-related death in the entire state, beating out packaging and machine operators, and construction workers.
