‘Should Raise Alarm Bells Across The Country’: California Paves Road To 40% Minimum Wage Increases For Certain Restaurants
Daily WireAPR 2 2022
Gov. Newsom Signs Sweeping Calif. Fast Food Worker Bill
Above: CA Gov. Gavin Newsom at a press conference at AltaMed in Santa Ana, on Mar. 25, 2020. Image copyright: Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This is a threat to consumers and the industry at large. Fast food workers are already paid significantly better than many other workers at a similar skill level. Forcing wages up will only push prices up, threaten business, and negatively affect many people seeking to enter the workforce.
Establishment-critical narrative
This is a triumph for employment rights. Workers are increasingly struggling to make ends meet, and the persistent threat of poverty became apparent for many during the pandemic. The balance of power is rightly shifting back to employees who have been given a collective voice.