California’s groundbreaking fast food council, designed to advocate for workers’ rights on wages, safety, and working conditions, has been inactive for over a year due to the absence of a chairperson.
Established in 2023, the council was part of a compromise that set a $20 minimum wage for fast food workers. It was created to hold at least two meetings annually, but it has not convened since February 2025.
Workers, organized by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), are urging Governor Gavin Newsom to appoint a new chairperson so the council can resume its duties. Luna Mondragon, a Carl’s Jr. employee in Milpitas, expressed the urgency of the situation, highlighting the need for the council to address workplace issues.
The council is composed of representatives from businesses, labor, and an unaffiliated chairperson. Its role includes setting standards for wages and working conditions and raising the minimum wage annually. However, the resignation of the previous chairperson, Nick Hardeman, has left the council without leadership.
According to Medium, the council’s inactivity has sparked concerns about the impact of the $20 wage floor on the industry, with debates over potential job losses and economic consequences continuing. The council’s mandate includes adjusting the minimum wage annually and drafting new health and safety standards.
The California Fast Food Workers Union emphasizes the importance of the council in improving conditions for over 630,000 fast food workers in the state. Workers have delivered a 96-page book to the governor’s office, detailing complaints about wage theft and poor working conditions.
Governor Newsom’s office has not confirmed when or if a new chairperson will be appointed. Meanwhile, the council’s staff continues to prepare for future meetings, awaiting leadership to guide their efforts.
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