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California Fast Food Workers Win Wage Fight

Fast food workers in California have won the fight for $20 hourly pay and industry council, reports The Guardian. The bill, called the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act, was signed Thursday.

Beginning April 1, 2024, the minimum wage for fast food workers in California will increase to $20 an hour. The fast food industry council created by the legislation will include worker representatives, state regulators, and franchises. It will apply to fast-food chains with over 60 locations under a common brand and will set annual wage increases beginning in 2025.

“It’s going to mean a lot for us. For me, I work two jobs, but with this new increase to the minimum wage, it’s going to help me a lot, it’s at least some sort of relief,” McDonald’s employee Sergio Valderrama told The Guardian. “This bill is a very impactful change for us because we will make more money, be able to help our families, and have a seat at the table where we can talk about things that happen at work that need to change, like management abuse.”

Depending on the municipality, median wages for fast food workers in the state currently range from $16 to $18 per hour. Full Story

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