Assemblymember Chris Holden Joins Governor Newsom For The Signing Of His Legislation, The Most Progressive Fast Food Wage Law In The Country

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Assemblymember Chris Holden joined Governor Gavin Newsom for the historic signing of his legislation, AB 1228, which will affirm establishing a Fast Food Council, representing a path forward to resolve employer community concerns while preserving fast food workers by securing a seat at the table to raise standards. The bill increasing the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 an hour — the highest minimum wage requirement regulated by state law for fast food workers in the country.

“Today, we witnessed the signing of one of the most impactful fast food wage laws that this country has ever seen. We did not just raise the minimum wage to $20 an hour for fast food workers. We helped a father or mother feed their children, we helped a student put gas in their car, and helped a grandparent get their grandchild a birthday gift. Last month, when we were knee deep in negotiations, hundreds of workers slept in their cars and missed pay days to come give their testimony in committee and defend their livelihood. Sacrifice, dedication, and the power of a government who serves its people is what got us to this moment,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden.

The Fast Food Council, consisting of nine voting members, including representatives of the fast food industry, franchisees, employees, advocates, one unaffiliated member of the pubic, and two non-voting members, shall provide direction to, and coordinate with, the Governor and executive agencies, regarding the health, safety, and employment of fast food restaurant workers. This council would develop minimum fast food worker standards, including, standards on wages, working conditions, and training, as are reasonably necessary or appropriate to protect and ensure the welfare, including the physical well-being and security, of fast food workers.

“California is home to more than 500,000 fast-food workers who – for decades – have been fighting for higher wages and better working conditions. Today, we take one step closer to fairer wages, safer and healthier working conditions, and better training by giving hardworking fast-food workers a stronger voice and seat at the table,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

“After a decade of strikes, organizing and militant action in the streets, California fast-food workers are showing the world what it looks like when working people seize their power and rewrite the rules to work for them,” said Service Employees International President Mary Kay Henry. “Their efforts reflect a broader trend across the service sector - from long term care to child care, airports and more - where we are seeing Black, API, Latina and immigrant women fed up with the status quo, standing up and demanding the ability to join together for better wages, benefits and protections. Today’s victory for fast-food cooks and cashiers is just the latest example of an incredible uprising of workers across the economy who are focused on rewriting the rules and correcting the imbalances of power facing their industries.”

“My goal for AB 1228 was to bring relief and solutions where they were needed and together with my colleagues and Governor Newsom, that is what we have done. Thank you to the SEIU and all who supported this important effort. We, as a state, should be proud,” said Holden.

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