COVID-19
Federal Relief – A bipartisan group of lawmakers is making a final push to break the deadlock on a relief bill before the New Year. Their legislative package which is just under $1 trillion dollars has not gained the approval of either party’s leadership or the White House. It is being proposed by a group of moderate senators from both sides of the aisle. Of note, the package includes new funds for the Paycheck Protection Program. More details.
PPP – Employers continue to grapple with developments related to the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This week a judge ruled that the SBA must disclose the full list of PPP recipients and the amounts of the loans that were received. And, last week the IRS released new guidance related to the program. More details.
Joe Biden – The President-elect’s transition team organized a Zoom call with small business operators from around the country. One participant was a restaurateur and represented the Independent Restaurant Coalition. President-elect Biden expressed support for grants, rather than loans to assist the industry. More details.
Vaccine Distribution – “Essential workers” are likely to be determined eligible for vaccines as a priority group. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory group this week indicated that such workers are likely to be granted early access after top priority groups, such as healthcare workers and nursing home residents. The advisory group will not provide formal guidance on the matter for some weeks and it’s unclear which workers may qualify under the “essential worker” definition. Some jurisdictions have included certain restaurant and retail workers in the definition, and others have not.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Industry Pushback – Industry-backed lawsuits in Oregon, Michigan, and California, as well as a group of restaurateurs openly defying operational restrictions in Illinois, are positioning the industry as the face of resistance to a new round of lockdowns across the country.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
New Mexico – Lawmakers passed a bipartisan coronavirus relief bill that will deliver a one-time $1,200 check to all types of unemployed workers and up to $50,000 for certain businesses.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Los Angeles, CA – The city will provide an $800 stipend to food service workers in response to the city’s shutdowns. Applicants must have earned less than $58,450 in the previous year.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Wages
Denver, CO – The mayor announced that he will not ask the city council to delay the scheduled Jan. 1 increase in the local minimum wage to $14.77/hr.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Novato, CA – Despite the pandemic, the city appears poised to proceed with the scheduled increase in the local minimum wage, slated for Jan. 1.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Policy
Labor Department – The agency submitted its final 80/20 tip wage rule to the White House’s Office of Information & Regulatory Affairs.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
SEC – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved a proposal that allows companies to compensate gig workers with stock offerings.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
NLRB – Four lawyers have emerged as potential candidates to fill the open Democratic seat on the National Labor Relations Board.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Americans for Prosperity – Americans for Prosperity (AFP) launched a national campaign this week, Work Your Way. It’s stated goal is to prevent legislation like AB-5 from becoming law in other states.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Del Taco – The company settled a sexual harassment suit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC). The company will pay $1.25 million and institute companywide trainings monitored by the EEOC for a period of three years.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Activism
Amazon – Workers at an Alabama warehouse location have filed a petition to organize into a union.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
One Fair Wage – The Restaurant Opportunities Center-affiliated group One Fair Wage (OFW) released a report this week that found nearly 80 percent of workers reported experiencing or witnessing hostile behavior from customers in response to their attempts to enforce coronavirus safety protocols. And, more than 40 percent reported “a noticeable change in the frequency of unwanted sexual comments from customers.”To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Alcohol
Arizona – The state alcohol beverage control board ruled that establishments that have a “Series 12” liquor license which typically includes bars and restaurants are not permitted to sell alcohol for off-premise consumption.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Florida – Legislation will be introduced in the state senate to make permanent existing temporary statutes allowing for cocktails to-go.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Delivery
Colorado – The state is considering legislation that would give localities the power to regulate third-party delivery platforms.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Berkeley, CA – The city lowered its existing cap on third-party delivery fees from 15 percent to 10 percent as well as allocated $50,000 toward a grant program to help restaurant owners install outdoor dining facilities.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Chicago, IL – An ordinance passed in the city council this week capping third-party delivery fees at 10 percent and any combination of fees at 15 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Cleveland, OH – The city council president introduced an ordinance to cap third-party delivery fees at 15 percent and prohibit any reduction in compensation for delivery drivers as a result of these lower commission amounts.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Washington, D.C. – The Attorney General’s office reached a settlement agreement with DoorDash requiring it to pay $2.5 million following claims that it misled D.C. consumers and pocketed tips that were supposed to have gone to workers.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Trade
China – The retail community is pushing back on federal legislation that would ban imported goods made with forced labor in the Xinjiang region of China.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe