Labor
FAST Recovery Act seeks to give California fast-food workers more power
ABC10 2/7
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A new bill would give fast-food workers more power and a seat at the decision-making table if approved by California lawmakers.
A New Year’s Resolution—Time to Replace PAGA
Seyfarth 2/7
Seyfarth Synopsis: In recognition of PAGA’s failure to protect California’s workers for the past 18 years, and the tremendous toll it has taken on California businesses, 2022 is the year to pass a proposed ballot initiative to amend this troublesome statute.
Food Industry Policy
California votes to require paid sick leave for virus cases
Associated Press 2/8
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — When Crystal Orozco got sick with the coronavirus last month, she missed nearly two weeks’ worth of her salary as a shift leader at a fast food restaurant and had to ask family members for a loan to help pay her rent.
California confirms that next week it will end its universal indoor mask mandate
San Francisco Chronicle 2/7
California’s statewide mask mandate, which requires everyone to wear face coverings indoors regardless of vaccination status, will be lifted Feb. 16 as anticipated, health officials said Monday, noting that cases have dropped dramatically from the peak of the omicron surge.
On the Side
Despite January job gains, the restaurant industry continues to struggle
Restaurant Dive 2/7
The latest jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the foodservice sector experienced the largest net gain of all sectors in January, adding 108,000 jobs last month. But the unemployment rate in the leisure and hospitality industry is 8.2%, roughly more than double the rate of the general economy.
6 Smokin’ Hot Food Trends to Try in 2022
7X7 2/7
In just a couple years, the Bay Area’s culinary landscape has changed dramatically from one focused on in-person dining to one in which cozy take-home and delivery options, and health-conscious eats reign supreme.