California Fast Food Workers Win BIG: $20/Hour Minimum Wage!

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new bill into law, raising the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour.

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The new minimum wage law will take effect on April 1, 2024.

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The $20 minimum wage surpasses the state's general minimum wage of $15.50 per hour.

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Currently, California fast food workers earn an average of $16.60 per hour, which is below the poverty line for a family of four.

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The council will have the authority to further raise the minimum wage and set standards for working conditions, similar to sectoral bargaining

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seen in Europe. The bill is a compromise version of a more contentious law, AB 257, which initially proposed a $22 minimum wage.

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Lobbyists opposed AB 257, leading to delays and the potential for a statewide referendum, which was later dropped.The compromise bill reflects a

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rare cooperative effort between union leaders and industry representatives, setting a precedent for future negotiations in labor relations.

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