COVID-19
Health & Safety – Philadelphia, New Orleans and San Francisco followed New York City this week to become the first jurisdictions to require “vaccine passports,” or proof of vaccination to eat indoors as well as other indoor activities. Expect more localities to take similar action in the coming weeks. McDonald’s announced a mandatory vaccination policy for their corporate headquarters staff (excluding those at company-owned restaurants). They join a growing list of major corporations requiring vaccinations, such as Amazon, Google, Apple, and Walmart. And, more jurisdictions are mandating masks for indoor dining regardless of vaccination status. This week, Hawaii, Oregon and the city of Philadelphia enacted new mask mandates as other jurisdictions are considering similar proposals. Additionally, Hawaii returned to a 50 percent seating capacity policy. More details.
OSHA – The agency issued updated guidance for employers regarding employee protection in high-risk workplaces. The new guidelines call for extended periods of mask wearing when in close contact with other workers unless they have a negative coronavirus test 3 -5 days after contact. The regulations do not apply to restaurants at this time but employers should note that it could potentially issue additional guidance that would pertain to our industry. More details.
Restaurant Relief Fund – During the infrastructure debate last weekend, a bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation to add $48 billion in funding to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The group of senators sought unanimous consent to pass the funding legislation but were blocked by an objection. The next opportunity may be the Democrat-supported budget reconciliation bill (or second infrastructure package). More details.
Unemployment Benefits – Labor activists have secured injunctions in four states – Arkansas, Indiana, Maryland, and Oklahoma – to restore unemployment benefit programs. Those states had previously suspended the benefits while lawsuits worked their way through the courts. Led by the National Employment Law Project (NELP), the coalition’s legal argument is that states are required to pay out all benefits since the emergency benefits were authorized under the Social Security Act. As such, they say “it is the duty of the governor to avert hardships for the unemployed,” Expect similar efforts elsewhere. More details.
Yelp & OpenTable – Both reservation and restaurant rating platforms have added components to their platforms so restaurants can now display their COVID-19 vaccine requirements for consumers to know what to expect when making reservations.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Wages
Nebraska – Raise the Wage Nebraska, a coalition of advocacy groups and elected state legislators, announced a new 2022 ballot initiative to raise Nebraska’s minimum wage to $15/hr.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Long Beach, CA – A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by the California Grocers Association challenging the city’s hazard pay ordinance.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Paid Leave
Seattle, WA – The city’s Office of Labor Standards announced that Postmates agreed to pay more than 1,500 Seattle gig workers almost a million dollars over the company’s violations of the city’s Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance (PSST).To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Policy
Infrastructure – On a bipartisan vote, the U.S. Senate approved a $1 trillion infrastructure bill to rebuild the nation’s deteriorating roads and bridges and fund new climate resilience and broadband initiatives, delivering on a key component of President Biden’s agenda.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
AFL-CIO – The nation’s largest union will meet Aug. 20 to fill the remaining term of Richard Trumpka, the organization’s president who passed away unexpectedly last week.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
NLRB – The National Labor Relations Board has asked a federal appeals court to uphold its approval of a settlement by McDonald’s Corp in the much-watched case claiming that the company is a joint employer of franchise workers.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Massachusetts – A state court has asked the state supreme court to decide a wage suit brought by 7-11 franchisees who claim they are merely “glorified managers.”To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Scheduling
Bellingham, WA – The city council approved the inclusion of a restrictive scheduling ordinance on the city’s Nov. ballot.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Alcohol
FAA – The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) is asking airports across the country to discontinue alcohol to-go sales from bars in restaurants in airport terminals.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe