California to raise minimum wage for fast food restaurants to $20/hour

California to raise minimum wage for fast food restaurants to $20/hour

September 28, 2023 04:32 PM

Fast food workers in California can expect a bit more money in their wallets thanks to new legislation that was approved Thursday, which will raise the minimum wage to $20 per hour.

This new wage increase comes as the minimum wage for all non-fast food workers is already at $15.50 per hour, one of the highest minimum wages in the country. The law also creates a council that can increase this wage every year all the way through 2029 by either 3.5% or the change in averages for the U.S. Consumer Price Index for urban and clerical workers, whichever is less.

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“California is home to more than 500,000 fast-food workers who — for decades — have been fighting for higher wages and better working conditions,” Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said. “Today, we take one step closer to fairer wages, safer and healthier working conditions, and better training by giving hardworking fast-food workers a stronger voice and seat at the table.”

The wage increase will go into effect starting April 1 of next year and will apply to all employees who work at restaurants that have at least 60 locations throughout the United States.

Exceptions to this new law will be restaurants that make and sell their own bread.

Gavin Newsom, Anneisha Williams
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs the fast food bill surrounded by fast food workers at the SEIU Local 721 in Los Angeles, on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. California fast food workers will be paid at least $20 per hour next year under the new law signed by Newsom. Anneisha Williams, right, who works at a Jack in the Box restaurant in Southern California celebrates as she holds up the bill. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Damian Dovarganes/AP

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Last year, the average hourly wage for fast-food workers was $16.21.

Newsom’s signing of the new fast food law comes after he recently signed a bill adding an 11% excise tax on guns and ammunition in California to fund school safety programs. The Democratic governor has made gun policy a focus of his governorship and nationally.

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