Would California’s Fast Food Bill Help Workers or Hurt Businesses?

California’s state legislature passed a bill on Monday that would significantly alter the state’s regulation of the fast food industry. It now awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature. 

The bill would enable the creation of a new council that would set industry standards on wages and working conditions. To get moderate Democrats on board, state lawmakers removed a provision that would have held fast food corporations responsible for wage and labor violations at individual franchise locations. Limits were also placed on the council’s potential powers, including capping any new minimum wage at $22/hour and preventing regulations on shift scheduling. 

The bill is backed by labor groups like the Service Employees International Union and opposed by business groups like the International Franchise Association and restaurant chains like McDonald’s. As of Thursday, Gov. Newsom has not yet declared a position on the bill, but California’s Department of Finance opposes it. 

Perspectives generally aligned with attitudes on labor unions, with pro-union voices often supporting the bill and anti-union voices opposing it. Voices supporting the bill were more common in left-rated outlets, and opponents were more common in right-rated outlets.