‘Fair Work’ Ordinance Introduced For Fast Food Workers In Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Los Angeles City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez introduced a motion Tuesday to offer the city’s fast-food workers more stable hours and paid time off.

Soto-Martinez’s fast-food fair labor ordinance seeks to expand the city’s Fair Labor Week ordinance, which was enacted in 2022 and requires employers to provide retail workers with advance notice of their schedules. It affected some 2,500 large fast-food chains and about 50,000 workers.

Current city regulations also require companies to give workers at least 10 hours of rest between shifts or provide appropriate compensation.

The new proposal would establish a mandatory six hours of paid training to inform workers of their rights, as well as one hour of paid time off for every 30 hours worked.

“What we are proposing today is about bringing respect to some people who have traditionally not had it through the laws of our city,” Soto-Martinez said at a news conference outside City Hall.

The councilman’s proposal was rejected by members of the Save Local Restaurants coalition, which includes restaurateurs, business groups and fast food brands. The group says the proposal would threaten the viability of local restaurants and drive up food prices for already struggling families.

“Nearly a decade ago, I opened my first Jersey Mike’s franchise to build a future for my family and leave a legacy and a strong business for my children. I fear that is now in jeopardy,” Juancarlos Chacon, owner of nine Jersey Mike’s restaurants in Los Angeles, said in a statement. “Since the state’s minimum wage was raised, I have had to raise my menu prices and reduce employee hours to make ends meet.”

He added: “I cannot absorb additional costs without making drastic changes, including closing one or more of my restaurants. I hope the Los Angeles City Council rejects this very bad idea that will not only hurt franchisees, but also workers who will ultimately lose their jobs.”

Soto-Martinez said his proposal aims to give fast-food workers more time to enjoy family and friends, and attend weddings, doctor’s appointments and other important moments.

The California Fast Food Workers Union and Service Employees International support the proposal.

“Too many people don’t know their rights or where to go to report workplace abuses,” said Jaylene Loubet, a McDonald’s employee and member of the California Fast Food Workers Union. “Too many of us can’t afford stable housing because of unpredictable schedules… Today, a path is about to open to make a change.”

The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor also supported the proposal.

In 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law AB 1228, which created a statewide Fast Food Council and established a minimum $20-per-hour raise for fast food workers. The law went into effect in April.

According to Soto-Martinez’s office, the fast food industry in California gained about 10,600 new jobs as a result of the law.

Fast food companies, however, said the law forced them to raise prices on menu items, which impacted their businesses.

“I have reduced my employees’ hours by 10% and have been forced to raise prices to keep up with the state’s minimum wage increase. I can’t absorb any more additional costs,” said Behzad (Ben) Salehi, owner of Blaze Pizza franchises in Northridge and Encino. “Unnecessary, costly, and redundant ordinances like these make small business owners reluctant to expand in the City of Los Angeles. Enough is enough. Stop attacking small business owners like us who create jobs and generate revenue for the city.”

Soto-Martinez’s proposal is expected to be heard by council committees before a final vote by the full City Council.

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