One Fair Wage, an advocacy group, is calling for California’s new $20 minimum wage law for fast food workers to be extended to all sectors in order to assist working-class individuals who are struggling with the high cost of living in the state. The president of One Fair Wage, Saru Jayaraman, highlighted the increasing levels of home and food insecurity post-pandemic, emphasizing the need for further support beyond fast food workers. She pointed out that in some California counties, an individual would need a $40 an hour salary to live comfortably due to the exorbitant cost of living, leading to people leaving the state or delaying starting families.
The new law, AB 1228, was signed by California Governor Newsom in September and went into effect earlier this month. It applies to workers at restaurants with at least 60 locations nationwide. However, ahead of the law coming into effect, concerns were raised by restaurant owners about potential negative impacts on small businesses and consumers. Some warned of massive layoffs and job losses, while others described the law as a shock, such as a former assistant manager at Fosters Freeze in Lemoore, California.
Despite these concerns, Jayaraman dismissed the predictions of negative consequences, citing past minimum wage increases that did not result in the anticipated harm to businesses. She argued that raising the minimum wage would enable workers to have more money to spend, stimulating the economy and growing industries. In response to the suggestion that increased wages would lead to higher prices for consumers, Jayaraman noted that consumers have already been experiencing inflation along with stagnant wages, making it essential to raise wages to keep pace with the rising cost of living in the state.
According to Jayaraman, small businesses have been at the forefront of offering higher wages to workers, with many recognizing the need for a policy that creates a level playing field and signals to workers that it is worthwhile to work in restaurants again. She emphasized the importance of policies that support working-class individuals and their ability to afford basic necessities in California. Jayaraman also highlighted the impact of the pandemic on people’s financial security, making it crucial to address issues of home and food insecurity through measures such as a higher minimum wage across all sectors, not just limited to fast food workers.
In conclusion, the advocacy group One Fair Wage is pushing for broader implementation of California’s new $20 minimum wage law for fast food workers to support all working-class individuals grappling with the state’s high cost of living. The president of One Fair Wage, Saru Jayaraman, stressed the importance of addressing increasing levels of home and food insecurity post-pandemic by extending the minimum wage increase to all sectors. Despite concerns raised by some in the restaurant industry about potential negative impacts, Jayaraman argued that increasing the minimum wage would benefit workers, stimulate the economy, and support small businesses. By ensuring workers can afford basic necessities and participate in the local economy, she believes that policies like the new minimum wage law are essential for promoting financial stability and well-being for all Californians.
