Substantial Wage Hike for California's Fast-Food Workers to $20 by 2024

A significant raise in the minimum wage is on the horizon for over half a million fast-food workers in California. This comes in the wake of a recent legislation, AB 1228, signed into effect by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Under this new law, workers in the fast-food industry will be earning a minimum of $20 an hour by 2024.
A Collective Victory for Labor Advocates and Workers
In a joint event with labor leaders, legislators, and industry representatives in Los Angeles, Gov. Gavin Newsom underscored the group's collective effort in pushing for a wage increase for fast-food employees. "California is home to over 500,000 fast-food workers who have tirelessly campaigned for higher wages and improved work conditions for years," Newsom asserted. "Today, we move one step forward towards achieving fair wages, safer and healthier working environments, and enhanced training through empowering fast-food employees."
Fast Food Council to Spearhead Industry Standards and Proposals
The legislation has led to the inception of the Fast Food Council, represented by nine members, including two from the fast-food industry, two franchise or restaurant owners, two employee advocates, two worker representatives, and one public member. The council's purpose is to give workers a more significant say in determining minimum wages and working conditions, encapsulating health and safety.
"This victory is just the start," exclaimed Ingrid Vilorio, a fast-food worker leader in the Fight for $15 campaign in California. "Our movement has always strived to procure a seat at the table. We wished to improve our pay scales and working conditions. This accomplishment is the effort of every fast-food worker at both, state and national levels, who has fearlessly battled and exposed issues in our industry. We believe with our newfound leverage, transformational changes will arise for every fast-food cook, cashier, and barista in our state. Our triumph shows that perseverance pays."
Unveiling California's New Minimum Wage
Starting from April 1, 2024, the minimum wage for the state's half a million strong fast-food workforce will hike to $20 per hour. This stands in comparison to the average hourly wage of $16.21 in 2022. Additionally, the newly established law allows the council to boost the minimum wage annually between 2025 and 2029, albeit with a cap of a 3.5% increase or the annual change in the Consumer Price Index. Consequently, this will also "empower the council to develop and propose other labor, health, or safety standards for regulations by the appropriate body," as per the press release from Gov. Newsom's office.
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