COVID-19
Federal Relief – Negotiations began in earnest this week over the next federal relief package; however, most of the negotiations took place within the Republican caucus. Fiscal conservative stalwarts openly expressed dismay over the potential price tag and the White House priority of a payroll tax cut was dismissed by Congressional leaders. Once Republicans settle on the key provisions of their plan, they’ll have to negotiate with Congressional Democrats. Meanwhile, unemployment programs are running out of money and regardless of when another bill is approved by Congress, there is likely to be a gap in the distribution of benefits. It’s also worth noting that the enhanced unemployment benefit authorized in earlier relief bills expires this week while unemployment filings rose for the first time in several weeks as state and local governments tighten restrictions under surging infection rates.
Reopenings / Closings – As infections spike in regions across the country, nearly half of states have paused or rolled back the reopening of bars, restaurants and retail locations, promising that the operational challenges of the past few months will be with us for a while longer.
Mask Requirements – In a period of a few weeks, the conversation around mask requirements shifted dramatically, driven at least in part by corporate action. As reported in previous weeks, a number of companies adopted national mask requirements and late last week the Business Roundtable called on companies to require masks. At the same time, many states have enacted requirements and President Trump made public statements that wearing a mask is considered patriotic.
Liability – As negotiations around the next federal relief bill take shape, what’s clear is that liability protection is a key priority of Senate Majority Leader McConnell. His staff has been workshopping provisions with other key congressional staff and industry representatives. The legislative text is expected to become available as part of the larger relief package.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Wages
Pennsylvania – Applications are now being accepted for essential workers to draw as much as $1,200 in hazard pay.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Best Buy – The company announced that it will make permanent previously-implemented hazard pay adjustments and will now have a $15/hr starting wage going forward. Another Minneapolis-based retailer, Target, recently adopted the same policy. More details.
Union Square Hospitality Group – The company announced it will end their “no-tipping” policy, instead moving to a more traditional tip-sharing arrangement.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Paid Leave
Federal – The Labor Department updated their guidance regarding the 12 weeks of paid family and sick leave authorized by the CARES Act.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Policy
NLRB – The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled this week on the General Motors case returning to a more traditional precedent of workplace civility (the so-called Wright Line test).To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Activism
Strike for Black Lives – The day of action was deemed a success by most measures. Actions were organized in dozens of markets and organizers were able to garner substantial regional print and TV coverage, as well as national print media. However, the day did fall short of earning notable national cable TV news coverage.
Delivery
Fremont, CA – The city council voted unanimously to direct the city manager to develop an executive order limiting the fees third-party delivery services can impose on restaurants to 15 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Gresham, OR – The city updated its emergency orders, capping commissions charged by third-party app-based food delivery platforms at 10 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Pasadena, CA – The city council approved a temporary cap of 20 percent on total fees and commissions that online and app-based delivery services can charge eateries, including a 15 percent limit on the delivery-fee portion of an order.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
St. Louis, MO – The Board of Alderman approved a measure that would prevent third-party delivery apps from charging restaurants fees worth more than 20 percent of the total order value. It also requires the apps to disclose how much gratuity money their delivery drivers make from online orders and what proportion of those tips cover drivers’ base wages.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Alcohol
Massachusetts – The governor signed legislation allowing bars and restaurants in the state to sell to-go cocktails with takeout and delivery food orders.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
New York – The state liquor authority clarified a previous executive order from the governor further defining allowable food items that could be purchased from bars and restaurants to enable them to sell alcohol. The new guidance says “food items” must be a sandwich, soup, salad, or substantial appetizer.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Oregon – The state liquor control commission held a hearing this week to further the process of potentially making permanent changes temporarily allowing licensees to deliver factory-sealed containers of alcohol to consumers.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Compliance – Regulators in numerous states, including Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania, are holding public hearings and issuing citations to crack down on bar owners who are not fully complying with state and local COVID-19 prevention measures and are being implicated in potentially enabling the further spread of the disease.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe