Category: News
August 31st, 2022
Aug. 31, 2022 (SAN FRANCISCO) – The passage of the FAST Act is a historic day for California workers.
For decades, low-income fast food workers have been kept down and out – subject to stagnant wages and unfair working conditions with no seat at the table. Hourly pay for the highest-wage workers in California grew by 43 percent from 1979 to 2018. The lowest-wage workers’ pay grew by just 4 percent, and they continue to face wage theft.
The FAST Act restores balance and fairness, giving over 700,000 fast food employees across California – most of whom are people of color – a seat at the table that they’ve always deserved. This bill is about giving them the ability to speak truth to power, and stand up for their time, their livelihoods, and their dignity.
Quality jobs and worker power are the kinds of things that are required to build a just and inclusive twenty-first century economy. I am thankful for the tireless efforts of countless fast food workers, advocates, and leaders at SEIU who refused to back down until change was won. EPIC is proud to stand alongside them and as part of our ongoing work, we will convene a dialogue around the state about how to shore up the voice of workers across sectors to build a California free from poverty.