COVID-19
Federal Relief – The federal relief bill is on the “one-yard line,” according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Congressional leadership from both parties is committed to advancing a relief package and the final details are likely to be hammered out over the weekend. The agreement, as of this writing, includes $600 stimulus checks for millions of Americans, 10 weeks of jobless aid, $330 billion in small-business assistance ($257 for another round of the Paycheck Protection Program), money for vaccine distribution, and funding for a range of other programs. Expect fierce negotiations all the way into the final vote. More details.
National Restaurant Association – The National Restaurant Association (NRA) released an updated COVID-19 Safe Operating Guidance that provides the latest recommendations from leading health and safety authorities including CDC, FDA, EPA, OSHA and ASHRAE and is designed to help the restaurants continue to operate safely and efficiently during the pandemic. The guidance, created in partnership with safety experts from these government organizations, academia, the public health sector, and corporations, is updated regularly to ensure operators have the most recent guidelines for providing safe dining – on and off premises. More details.
California – In an escalation of an ongoing investigation into accusations of improper COVID-related workplace safety standards, the state attorney general filed a petition in state court to force Amazon to comply with numerous requests for information. The state is seeking details regarding Amazon’s efforts to prevent the virus from spreading in its facilities as well as the number of coronavirus cases and deaths linked to its California facilities. The state is contending that the company is dragging its feet in releasing subpoenaed documents. More details.
Washington, DC – The district followed San Francisco and approved a new “right to return” requirement for restaurants, bars, and retail stores. The new mandate states that applicable businesses with 50 or more employees prior to March 2020 must offer to rehire staff they let go during the pandemic before hiring new staff. Hotels will have to offer to hire back employees that were let go as far back as December 1, 2019, about two months before the U.S. had its first confirmed coronavirus case. More details.
Wages
Michigan – The scheduled Jan. 1 increase in the state minimum wage to $9.87/hr will likely be postponed for another year.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
New York – The state labor department announced that it would proceed with a mandated increase in the minimum wage as scheduled on Jan.1.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Jose Andres – The celebrity chef did an abrupt “about face” this week by signing on to the labor community effort to eliminate the tipped wage in New York City.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Policy
New York City, NY – The city council passed “just cause” legislation making it significantly harder for employers in the restaurant sector to terminate employees.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation – The Foundation’s Center for Education & Workforce released a report highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on the childcare industry and the subsequent impact that has had on working families and ultimately employers.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Delivery
National Restaurant Association – This week the NRA and leading third-party delivery companies including DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub released a joint set of policy principles “creating a framework for their relationship.”To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Albany County, NY – The county legislative chair issued an executive order capping third-party delivery fees at 15 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Anne Arundel County, MD – Next week, the county council will vote – and likely pass – an ordinance capping third-party delivery fees at 15 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Onondaga County, NY – The county executive announced an executive order capping third-party delivery fees at 15 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Santa Clara County, CA – The county approved a 15 percent cap on delivery fees as well as ensured 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
Cleveland, OH – The mayor signed into law a temporary ordinance capping third-party delivery fees at 15 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Newark, CA – The city joined other Bay Area localities in enacting a 15 percent cap on third-party delivery fees.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Peoria, IL – The city council approved an ordinance capping third-party delivery fees at 15 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
San Jose, CA – Following Santa Clara county in which it resides, the city also capped delivery fees at 15 percent, but unlike the county, capped total fees – including delivery and processing fees – at 18 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Alcohol
Alabama – The state control board unanimously reauthorized the state’s order to allow curbside alcohol sales through Jan. 4.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Roswell, GA – The city council approved a measure enacting a $100 fee for any businesses that provide home delivery of alcohol.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe