COVID-19
Health and Safety – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced a vaccine requirement for all employees and visitors to its office this week. This does not constitute a policy endorsement but it is indicative of the organization’s positioning on the issue of vaccine mandates and so-called vaccine passports. The issue is contentious in many areas of the country. In Texas, the state’s alcohol beverage control agency released a statement warning bars and restaurants from considering adopting a vaccine requirement for customers, stating that any business requiring proof of vaccination for customers risks losing its alcohol license under state law. In New York City, a group of restaurateurs are suing the city over the mayor’s recent executive order requiring proof of vaccination for indoor activities such as dining. In related news, U.S. health officials announced this week that within the next month Americans will be able to receive booster shots. Employers should begin thinking through how they may incentivize or accommodate workers.
Wages
Memphis, TN – The city council held a hearing on a proposal to tie city incentives to businesses to the minimum wage of the companies receiving those benefits. The proposal would mandate that businesses receiving tax incentives to locate or expand in the city pay a minimum wage of $21/hr. The council will revisit the issue at its next meeting in early December. More details.
Aldi – Aldi boosted its average starting wages for store and warehouse workers to $15/hr and $19/hr respectively, based on location and job position. More details.
Labor Policy
Hobby Lobby – A state court upheld a lower court ruling that Hobby Lobby violated Illinois anti-discrimination law by denying a transgender employee access to the women’s restroom. Experts say the case could have nationwide implications. Hobby Lobby could appeal the ruling to the Illinois Supreme Court and potentially, all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. More details.
Starbucks – An administrative law judge has ruled that the company illegally retaliated against and fired two Philadelphia baristas who were trying to organize a union. Earlier this summer, the judge ordered Starbucks to reinstate the workers with back pay and post fliers at some of its stores in downtown Philadelphia, stating the company would not violate workers’ right to organize. The company will likely appeal and during that process, the company is not required to rehire the workers or pay them. More details.
Alcohol
Rhode Island – The governor signed legislation that extends alcoholic beverages to-go until March 2022. Restaurants can offer up to two 750 ml bottles of wine, 72 ounces of mixed-wine drinks, 144 ounces of beer, and mixed drinks with no more than nine ounces of distilled spirits. More details.
7-Eleven – The company is launching a pilot program in select states to deliver beer, wine, and even Slurpees within 30 to 60 minutes. In a collaboration with Minibar Delivery (an independent marketplace for alcohol delivery) select stores in Florida, Texas, and Virginia will offer beer and wine delivery direct to customers’ homes. In addition to alcoholic beverages, the new pilot program will also allow 7-Eleven customers to order various snacks including. 600 stores will take part in the pilot. More details.
Delivery
Rhode Island – The governor signed legislation prohibiting third-party platforms from listing restaurants without the owner’s consent. More details.
Monroe County, NY – The county legislature will hear two bills next week related to third-party delivery. The first would prohibit delivery services from listing restaurants on their platforms without written authorization. The second would limit what service platforms can charge restaurants for delivery fees – capping them at 15 percent of the purchase price for each online order. More details. To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe