COVID-19
Federal Relief – A tweet by President Trump this week, announcing an end to negotiations, may have killed any chances for a relief bill prior to Election Day.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
CDC – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added aerosol transmission to its explanation of the ways the public can contract COVID-19.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Study – A McKinsey & Co. report found that a second wave of infections in New York City (and subsequent lockdown) could delay the comeback of restaurant sales for as long as three years. The study found that it may take 10 years for the industry to regain lost jobs and locations. More details.
Wages
Seattle, WA – The mayor signed an ordinance adopting a $16.39/hr minimum wage for Uber and Lyft drivers.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Paid Leave
Federal – A National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) survey found that only 29 percent of small businesses have claimed a tax credit or advance refund to reimburse them for the cost of COVID-related paid sick leave or family leave. Small businesses were mandated to provide paid leave by Congress in the spring. Most (80 percent) said none of their employees had taken the leave.
Colorado – New polling data indicates strong support for Proposition 118, an initiative to provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave with the costs split between employers and employees.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Kum & Go – The national convenience store chain announced it would grant employees two hours of paid leave to vote on Election Day as well as free employee meals throughout the day.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Policy
Immigration – A coalition of employer groups (the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Retail Federation, and Technet) scored a temporary victory for their members (and only applicable to their members) when a judge enjoined the federal agencies from executing a presidential proclamation which suspended the issuance of H-1B, H-2B, L, and J visas. Within a few days, the administration announced it would be implementing changes to the visa program to narrow the definition of “specialty occupations” for which foreign workers can qualify and require employers to pay such foreign workers more.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
McDonald’s – A judge approved a $26 million settlement in a wage theft class action suit against McDonald’s.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Activism
McDonald’s – The company was the subject of yet another round of protests, this time by activists in favor of California’s Proposition 15, which would require commercial and industrial properties to be taxed based on market value instead of their purchase price.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Alcohol
Bristol, TN – The city council is considering an amendment to the city beer ordinance that would permanently allow the delivery of alcoholic drinks with an alcohol level below 8 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Delivery
Alexandria, VA – The city council is considering the extension of numerous temporary rules in place allowing for home delivery of alcohol, extended hours of operation and outdoor dining among others to help struggling restaurants and bars.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Denver, CO – The city council passed an ordinance to cap third-party delivery fees at 15 percent for the next 120 days.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Tucson, AZ – The mayor and city council passed a 15 percent cap on third-party commission fees but the ordinance, which will go into effect Oct. 15, will only apply to those locally-owned restaurants with fewer than five locations that have not already entered contractual partnerships with the delivery services.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Walnut Creek, CA – The city council unanimously capped third-party delivery fees at 15 percent for the next six months. The new ordinance takes effect immediately.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Packaging
Canada – The country announced plans to ban single-use plastics including checkout bags, straws, stir sticks, six-pack rings, cutlery and even foodware made from hard-to-recycle plastics, nationwide by the end of 2021.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe