AB 257, FAST Recovery Act Swiftly Moves to the Governor’s Desk

Sacramento, CA - Today, Assemblymember Chris Holden’s bill, AB-257 Food Facilities and Employment has passed the Assembly Floor on concurrence and is now headed to the Governor’s Desk.

 “As a former franchisee, I am aware that time is of the essence and with AB 257, we have a chance to lift up small business owners and essential workers swiftly with an inclusive approach to business,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden.

AB 257 would resolve longstanding issues in the fast-food restaurant sector by creating a Fast-Food Sector Council that would promote industry wide collaboration and focus efforts on improving worker protections and standard operating procedures. Provides that the Council shall be comprised of the following 10 members:

• One representative from the Department of Industrial Relations
• Two representatives of fast food restaurant franchisors
• Two representatives of fast food restaurant franchisees
• Two representatives of fast food restaurant employees
• Two representatives of advocates for fast food restaurant employees
• One representative from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development

The Council would include state agencies, employers and worker representatives to ensure an all-inclusive approach. The bill would enhance numerous local, state, and federal laws and regulations that have been instituted to require operational changes on the part of businesses to protect employees from infection since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Council must first conduct research and submit a report to the Legislature outlining their recommendations. 

“Creating a stakeholder driven council, ensures that all voices at the table are heard and considered. This innovative template helps us do better to foster improved working environments for all Californians,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden.

“Ten years after 200 fast-food workers walked off the job in New York City and galvanized an international movement of workers demanding $15/hr and union rights, the passage of AB 257 is the most significant advance in workers’ fight for fairness on the job in a generation,” said Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union. “Workers from coast to coast are stepping into their power, and they’ll take their fight to any company in any industry. It’s time for corporations like McDonald’s, Amazon, Starbucks and Delta to come to a national bargaining table to raise standards across their industries and ensure every worker is respected, protected and paid a living wage.”

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