COVID-19
Federal Relief – The U.S. Senate approved a budget resolution, triggering the budget reconciliation process. The joint budget resolution passed by a 51-50 margin with Vice President Harris casting the tie-breaking vote. It intends to provide “urgently needed” funding through President Biden’s $1.9 billion American Rescue Plan which can now be passed by a simple majority. The joint budget resolution offers instructions to relevant Congressional committees like providing “additional relief for nation’s small businesses and hard-hit industries,” including “a dedicated grant relief program for restaurants,” totaling $25 billion, along with other plans to help save entertainment and cultural institutions. The provisions around the restaurant relief fund closely mirror the Senate version of RESTAURANTS ACT, a top priority of the National Restaurant Association. Once the House approves the resolution, a total of 25 committees across both chambers will get to work writing the legislation. They will flesh out details on how to enact Biden’s plan to send out a new round of $1,400 stimulus checks to Americans, boost the weekly federal unemployment benefit to $400 through September, and provide hundreds of billions of dollars in aid to states, communities and schools.
Minimum Wage – During the debate on federal relief, separate amendments regarding a proposed increase in the federal minimum wage to $15/hr were considered. An amendment to include the wage mandate as part of the budget resolution was rejected with some Democratic votes and in addition, a Republican-sponsored amendment to prohibit a wage increase during a pandemic was passed by voice vote. While non-binding, both are considered rebukes to Sen. Sanders’ efforts to raise the wage but he will have other opportunities throughout the process to pursue an increase.
State-Level Relief – A number of states, notably Pennsylvania and Maryland, are finalizing relief packages that have substantial programs for which operators may qualify. While much of the national conversation is focused on federal relief programs, state and local programs should not be overlooked. More details.
OSHA – The agency released updated guidance suggesting that employers should still require workers to wear masks and follow other practices meant to stem the spread of COVID-19 even after they have been vaccinated.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
NACOSH – The labor community released a sweeping blueprint for the Labor Department and state agencies. The report was released by National Council on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) which claims 23 local and state affiliates, and endorsed by more than 100 union and labor-affiliated organizations.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
McDonald’s – The company announced that workers in its company-owned restaurants and corporate headquarters will receive four hours of paid time to get the COVID-19 vaccinations when they become available.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Shake Shack – The company announced that workers will receive six hours of paid time to get the COVID-19 vaccinations when they become available.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Wages
Federal – At the behest of Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, the CBO is expected to release a report soon that will make the fiscal case for hiking the federal minimum wage.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Rhode Island – A senate committee heard two minimum wage bills.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Los Angeles, CA – The city council voted to direct staff to draft a temporary ordinance mandating an additional $5/hr hazard pay increase for grocery and supermarket workers.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Oakland, CA – The Oakland City Council unanimously approved an emergency hazard pay ordinance requiring a $5/hr increase in wages for certain grocery workers.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
San Jose, CA – The city council voted 6-3 to order the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would require corporate grocery stores, chain supermarkets and retail stores that sell groceries and employ at least 300 people nationwide to pay workers an additional $3/hr on top of their regular wages.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Seattle, WA – The grocery industry filed a lawsuit against the city claiming the city’s new hazard pay ordinance.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Amazon – The company reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and will pay $61.7 million to reimburse customer tips it withheld from delivery drivers.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Kroger – The company announced that it will close two of its units, a Ralph’s and a Food for Less, in Long Beach, California, as a result of the city’s recently-passed, “hazard pay” ordinance.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Paid Leave
Los Angeles County, CA – L.A. County has become the latest California municipality, following Sacramento, Oakland, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Sacramento County, Sonoma County, and San Mateo County, to enact a COVID-19 paid leave mandate. Since the federal requirement expired on Dec. 31, many municipalities have been expanding their mandates. L.A. county’s provisions are retroactive to Jan. 1 and include all employers in unincorporated areas of the county. More details. [/membership]
Labor Policy
Labor Department – The agency announced that it was abandoning the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program, effective immediately.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Delivery
Minnesota – Statewide legislation to temporarily cap third-party delivery fees at 15 percent has been passed out of a house committee.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Contra Costa County, CA – The county board of supervisors capped third-party delivery fees at 15 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Denver, CO – The city council extended its existing temporary 15 percent cap on third-party delivery fees until June.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
La Mesa, CA – An ordinance temporarily capping third-party delivery fees at 15 percent was unanimously passed by the city council.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Lincoln, NE – Next week, the city council will vote on a proposed ordinance to cap third-party delivery fees at 15 percent for the duration of the pandemic.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Modesto, CA – The city council passed a temporary ordinance capping third-party delivery fees at 15 percent. More details. [/membership]
Washington, DC – The city council unanimously approved an ordinance requiring third-party delivery platforms such as DoorDash and Uber Eats to obtain an agreement with a restaurant before they can offer their food on the app.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Alcohol
Alabama – By a 10-1 vote, a senate committee passed legislation that would allow the delivery of sealed beer, wine and liquor from grocery stores, restaurants and other licensed retailers to homes in Alabama.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
South Carolina – Legislation to allow home delivery of beer, wine and spirits statewide passed out of a house committee.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Uber – The company reached a deal to acquire the alcohol delivery service provider Drizly for $1.1 billion in cash and stock signaling the company’s ambitions to provide a wider range of items to consumers’ doorsteps.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Taxes
Washington – A house committee heard a proposal to create a “wealth tax” in the state.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Franchise
Oregon – A house committee is expected to hear a franchise fairness bill next week.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe