COVID-19
Federal Relief – The so-called “908 Coalition” of bipartisan lawmakers advocating for a $908 billion relief bill before the New Year seems to have hit an impasse.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
National Restaurant Association – The National Restaurant Association (NRA) and other industry groups ramped up pressure on lawmakers this week. The NRA sent a letter to Congressional leadership arguing that the entire industry needs a ‘down payment’ relief bill to make it to the New Year. The letter highlighted data from a survey conducted in late Nov. by the NRA finding that as of Dec. 7, 17 percent of restaurants – more than 110,000 establishments – are closed permanently or long-term.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
California – A judge issued an injunction invalidating Los Angeles County’s outdoor dining ban.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Wages
Starbucks – In a letter to Congress this week, CEO Kevin Johnson said that his company will go to a $15/hr minimum wage in the “next two to three years”. This comes on the heels of another announcement a few weeks ago where the company announced significant changes to its wage structure. Effective Dec. 14, the company is increasing all starting rates by 5 percent, the base pay of all current baristas and supervisors by 10 percent, and employees with three years of continued service by 11 percent. Additionally, they are increasing the premium paid in each market above the local minimum wage. More details. [/membership]
Paid Leave
Federal – The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that extending the emergency paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave provisions enacted under the first coronavirus relief bill would cost about $1.35 billion for two months or $1.8 billion for three months. That’s a fraction of what the CBO projected the original provisions would cost and of what they projected the two-month extension of the provisions proposed in the second coronavirus package would cost.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Albuquerque, NM – The city council voted to defer action on pending paid leave legislation until Feb. in part because it appears some paid leave legislation may move at the state level when the legislature meets in Jan.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Pittsburgh, PA – The city council unanimously approved legislation requiring businesses with more than 50 employees to provide paid sick leave to workers who contract COVID-19 or who are required to quarantine because of exposure during the pandemic.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Danone – The industry food supplier announced significant revisions to its paid leave policies allowing employees to take 18 weeks of paid time off within the first year of the birth or adoption of a child.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Policy
U.S. House – House Democrats released a Future of Work report this week calling for action by the next Congress to enhance worker protections and address the fissured workplace.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Activism
Boston, MA – The city joined a list of other municipalities in California as well as New York City by launching a Restaurant Opportunities Center-backed High Road Kitchen Relief Fund.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
NLRB – Google employees have become increasingly active on a number of issues, staging walk-outs and work stoppages. The company’s response has been mixed but in some circumstances, the company fired workers over what it viewed as violations of company policies. The federal labor board believes that, in some of those instances, Google violated federal labor law. Specifically, workers were fired that engaged in collective action around the company’s handling of sexual harassment allegations and its work with immigration agencies.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Delivery
Washington – Last month, the governor issued a proclamation capping third-party delivery fees at 15 percent and total fees at 18 percent. The order was effective Nov. 25 and is expected to be temporary but no firm sunset date was given. As a follow-up, this week the attorney general issued compliance guidance for both third-party platforms as well as restaurants.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Erie County, NY – The county legislature is considering temporary legislation to cap third-party delivery fees at 15 percent sunsetting 90 days after the current state of emergency is lifted.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Santa Clara County, CA – Next week, the county will likely vote to approve a 15 percent cap on delivery fees as well to ensure third-party delivery drivers will not have their tips or wages garnished or withheld by the parent companies.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Packaging
Bacardi – The spirits company has devised an innovative new liquor bottle that will biodegrade in 18 months.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe