It’s official now. Thanks to an agreement reached on Monday, September 11, between unions and the fast-food industry, California fast-food franchise workers will see a substantial increase in their wages starting next year.
Under the agreement, the minimum wage for workers in the fast-food industry will rise to $20 an hour, representing an increase of nearly $5 an hour. The minimum wage increase will begin on April 1, 2024 and will have annual increases until 2029.
It is worth mentioning that this increase is only mandatory for fast food establishments that have at least 60 branches nationwide and does not apply to bakeries.
“Many of us (in the fast food industry) have to work two jobs to pay the bills; It will give us a little break,” said Ingrid Vilorio, an employee of Jack In The Box in San Francisco, to the Los Angeles Times, adding that the development will give her family peace of mind.
More than 500,000 workers, of which 60% belong to the Latino community, are expected to benefit by seeing a substantial increase in their salaries.
End of confrontation
The agreement ends a more than year-long standoff between unions and fast-food franchises, which began when the governor of the Golden State, Gavin Newsom, implemented an initiative to increase workers’ wages. employee up to $22 per hour. .
Franchisees agreed to raise wages to $20 an hour, while unions promised to drop charges holding companies responsible for labor violations by franchise operators.
Raised the minimum wage across California
This agreement comes months after it was announced that California’s standard minimum wage would increase from $15.50 to $16 an hour, making it one of the highest minimum wages in the country, behind only the District of Columbia. and the state of Washington. The increase will take effect on January 1, 2024.
