COVID-19
Joe Biden – The presumptive Democratic nominee released his reopening plan this week. It includes federal funding for worker testing and enhanced OSHA standards for workplaces. More details.
Supply Chain – This week the Teamsters union held a National Food Supply Chain Day of Action. It’s the first major action focused on the nation’s food supply chain since the COVID-19 outbreak. Grocers were the primary target. Expect increased activism in the coming months. More details.
AFL-CIO – The D.C. Circuit dismissed an AFL-CIO lawsuit that sought to compel OSHA to issue an emergency rule to protect workers from COVID-19. A three-judge panel denied the labor federation’s petition, citing the “considerable deference” provided the agency on workplace safety matters.
Independent Restaurant Coalition – The IRC is out with a new study this week claiming that 85% of independent restaurants may not reopen as a result of COVID-19. The group continues to lobby for a relief package for independent restaurants. More details.
Restaurant Opportunities Center – The state of California selected the ROC-offshoot One Fair Wage to manage a recovery fund for independent restaurants. For restaurants to be eligible to receive monies they must agree to One Fair Wage’s stipulations of wage, benefit and promotion practices. One Fair Wage launched a similar program in partnership with New York City. That program will provide grants to offset payroll costs. “Preferential treatment” will be given to businesses that sign onto the One Fair Wage campaign. One Fair Wage plans to launch similar programs in Chicago and Detroit. More details.
Wages
Seattle, WA – The city is scheduled to hear a hazard pay bill next week. It would require delivery and rideshare companies, like Instacart, Uber, Postmates and Grubhub, to provide a $5 per transaction hazard payment to the delivery driver, in addition to regular rates, tips and other commission, for any work-related stop in Seattle.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Paid Leave
Colorado – The state senate heard and heavily amended the paid sick leave bill this week.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Austin, TX – The state supreme court declined to hear the city’s appeal of a lower court decision that had invalidated its local paid leave mandate.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Minneapolis, MN – The state supreme court upheld the city’s paid leave mandate.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Policy
Uber – Uber’s CEO and the Rockefeller Foundation president penned a joint op-ed this week entitled, American Workers Need a Better Safety Net. In it, they call for a national portable benefits system.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Joint Employer
Federal – Business groups are seeking to intervene in the pending legal case challenging the Trump Administration’s joint employer rule.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Colorado – The state labor department abandoned efforts this week to adopt the industry-opposed, Obama-era joint employer standard in state wage and hour law.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Activism
Uber – In response to the protests regarding the death of George Floyd, the company announced a feature on its app reading, “Support Black-owned restaurants,” which provides a list of nearby restaurants owned by African-Americans.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Delivery
Tax Compliance – Delivery platforms have become a favorite target of policymakers lately and tax compliance may be their next area of focus.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
California – The assembly overwhelmingly passed legislation that would ban online food-delivery platforms from advertising restaurants’ menus without consent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Massachusetts – A “restaurant relief” bill was unanimously approved by the full house and now moves to the senate for its likely passage.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Los Angeles, CA – The mayor signed legislation capping delivery fees at 15% and all other fees at 5%.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Yum! – The company filed suit against Grubhub claiming the platform was breaching its five-year deal with Yum and imposing new fee structures on franchisees.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Los Angeles County, CA – The county is following the city and is drafting a bill to cap fees by third party delivery services.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Alcohol
Colorado – The state senate approved legislation that would extend the provisions of the governor’s executive order through July 2022, allowing for alcohol takeout and delivery with food purchases.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Louisiana – The governor signed legislation allowing third-party delivery platforms to deliver beer and wine through contract workers.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Michigan – The state senate approved legislation that allows restaurants and bars to sell cocktails and liquor for pickup and direct delivery (not by a third-party service). It is expected to pass the house and be signed by the governor later this month.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Ohio – The state assembly approved a bill that allows restaurants to continue serving carryout wine, beer, and cocktails.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe