Labor
When restaurants can’t find workers, some soul-searching is in order
San Francisco Chronicle 4/19
This week, I’ve read so many stories about the labor shortage in the restaurant world. Owners tell reporters they can’t find enough workers to staff their restaurants, despite cranking up benefits and wages to lure potential candidates, and some even blame extended unemployment benefits for making people unwilling to work.
Tip Credits, Tip Pooling, and Tip Sharing Could Get More Complicated and Risky
FSR Magazine 4/18
In a pair of proposed rules published on March 25, 2021, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor has taken additional steps to derail and eventually modify regulations issued during the Trump Administration. The latest moves would have a significant impact on full service restaurants that use the tip credit provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), as well as establishments where tipping is common and tip pooling or tip sharing is used to facilitate an equitable distribution of the tips.
Food Industry Policy
California café offers 50% discount to those who trash their masks
KRON4 4/17
A Northern California café is stirring controversy after a sign posted in the front of their store was shared on social media. A TikTok video captured the sign displayed at Fiddleheads Café in Mendocino, located about two hours northwest of Santa Rosa. The sign read: “Throw your mask(s) in our trash bin and receive 50% off your order.”
Kroger Closing Ralphs And Food 4 Less In Long Beach Saturday Over Hero Pay Law
CBS Los Angeles 4/17
Kroger is closing two of its stores, Ralphs and Food 4 Less, on Saturday after the City of Long Beach mandated that the company pay employees $4 extra an hour in “hero pay” amid the coronavirus pandemic.
On the Side
Azul Latin Kitchen raises $11,000 for Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care
South Tahoe Now 4/18
Typically Azul hosts a fall fundraising party at the restaurant in December but with COVID 19 the annual event was canceled. The donation was largely in part to donations made from patrons who dined at the restaurant, and a partnership with Tahoe Blue Vodka.
East Bay Businesses Donate Proceeds to Support Asian Community Organizations
CBS San Francisco 4/17
137 East Bay restaurants, bars and other businesses joined the cause, pledging to donate part of the day’s take to Asian community organizations. Some, including Almanac Beer, offered space and foot traffic for pop-ups for small, Asian-owned businesses.
