Los Angeles City Council advances fast-food worker protections

The Los Angeles City Council voted 10-2 to advance a proposal that would extend protections from the city’s 2024 Fair Work Week Ordinance to fast-food workers. The measure aims to provide more predictable work schedules and establish mandatory labor-rights training.

Under the proposed ordinance, workers would receive their schedules at least two weeks in advance. Additionally, the law would require employers to provide at least 10 hours of rest between shifts or offer extra pay for shorter breaks. The proposal also includes a mandatory six-hour annual paid training program, covering topics such as wage and hour laws, meal and rest breaks, and worker misclassification.

Proponents, including Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martinez and Curren Price, argue the measure is necessary to level the playing field for a workforce that often struggles to plan for childcare and medical appointments due to unstable hours. The California Fast Food Workers Union supports the initiative, noting that training would help workers identify and report unsafe conditions.

Opponents, including the California Restaurant Association, have expressed concerns that the ordinance would significantly increase operational costs for businesses in an already expensive state.