Labor and Policy: Page 14

  • Starbucks Workers United members on strike
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    Permission granted by Starbucks Workers United
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    The major turning points in Starbucks’ battle with Starbucks Workers United

    The chain and the union have escalated their confrontation with store closures, firings, month-long strikes and a fight over transformative contract proposals.

    By • Dec. 22, 2022
  • An image of a man sitting at a table inside a McDonald's
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s security chief sues chain, CEO Chris Kempczinski for racial discrimination

    Michael Peaster, McDonald’s outgoing VP of global safety, security and intelligence, alleges the chain retaliated against him for contradicting Kempczinski during a meeting.

    By • Dec. 20, 2022
  • McDonald's drive thru sign
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s franchisee to pay $100K to settle claim it discriminated against long-tenured employee with autism

    Two months after taking over the restaurant, the franchisee fired a grill cook who had 37 years in the role.

    By Emilie Shumway • Dec. 20, 2022
  • A table set with strike materials for Starbucks Workers United's Nov. 17 national strike.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Starbucks union turns up pressure with strikes, gift card boycott

    Starbucks Workers United is flexing its muscle with temporary walkouts and calls to enlist consumers and other unions in its fight with the coffee giant.

    By • Dec. 19, 2022
  • Two flags flown by fast food workers demonstrating in support of AB 257.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    What’s at stake in the next battle over the FAST Recovery Act

    A look at what California’s fast food council might mean for the restaurant industry if it survives the referendum process.

    By • Dec. 19, 2022
  • Starbucks Workers United member
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    Permission granted by Starbucks Workers United
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Starbucks union stages 3-day strike at 60 stores

    Starbucks Workers United’s planned walkouts, in protest of union store closures, would be the campaign’s longest national action.

    By • Dec. 16, 2022
  • ChowNow Order Better Network
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    Permission granted by ChowNow
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    ChowNow lays off 10% of staff

    Just months after ChowNow laid off nearly 100 employees, it announced a second round of cuts, citing a leveling off of delivery demand. 

    By • Dec. 15, 2022
  • A photograph of Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) looking very concerned for the plight of restaurateurs.
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    Courtesy of Patty Murray
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    Restaurant Revitalization Fund

    Senators introduce tax credit bill for restaurants left out of RRF

    The bill would provide payroll tax relief of up to $25,000 for eligible restaurants that applied for but didn’t receive Restaurant Revitalization Fund money. 

    By • Dec. 9, 2022
  • An Uber Eats order is handed to an end customer.
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    Courtesy of Uber
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    Uber, Chicago agree to $10M settlement in commission fee and advertising investigation

    Uber Eats will compensate restaurants listed on its website without consent, as well as restaurants charged commissions exceeding the 15% emergency cap.

    By • Dec. 6, 2022
  • A car sits at a drive-thru at a McDonald's restaurant on a sunny day with a blue sky.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s franchisee pays $57K to resolve child labor violations

    Throughout 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor has signaled a regulatory focus on child labor provisions under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

    By Ryan Golden • Dec. 6, 2022
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    FAST Act to face ballot challenge, NRA says

    Opponents of California’s fast food labor council law said they have raised enough signatures to trigger a statewide referendum that would appear on the 2024 General Election.

    By • Dec. 5, 2022
  • MOD Pizza
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    Permission granted by MOD Pizza
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    Mod Pizza extends benefits to include tuition-free degrees

    Over 10,000 workers can access bachelor’s degree programs, professional certificates and English language learning through a partnership with Guild. 

    By • Dec. 1, 2022
  • A red sticker on a restaurant window announcing the restaurant offers delivery with DoorDash.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    DoorDash lays off 1,250 employees

    Early in the pandemic, the company hired fast to keep up with growth and wasn't as disciplined about curbing operating expenses, said CEO Tony Xu.

    By • Nov. 30, 2022
  • An image of a hand holding a Peet's Coffee cup
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    Courtesy of Peet's Coffee
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    2 Peet’s Coffee locations file for union elections

    Inspired by Starbucks’ union drive, Peet’s workers in Davis, California, are petitioning the National Labor Relations Board for an election with Workers United.

    By • Nov. 29, 2022
  • A picture of a chef in a kitchen looking down at a calculator.
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    Vladimir Vladimirov via Getty Images
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    Restaurant Revitalization Fund

    SBA to disburse $83M in last of unallocated RRF funds

    The Small Business Administration's earlier projection of $180 million of unspent funds was inaccurate, according to a report.

    By • Nov. 23, 2022
  • A portrait photo of Elias Eyna, Papa Johns' Chief People and Diversity Officer
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    Permission granted by Papa Johns'
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    Papa Johns taps chief people and diversity officer

    Elias Reyna, who served under former Chief People Officer Marvin Boakye, is returning to the pizza chain after a brief stint with ABM Industries.

    By • Nov. 22, 2022
  • Starbucks sustainable cups
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Labor federation asks SEC to examine Starbucks’ gift card breakage rate

    Starbucks counts a certain percentage of unused gift card dollars as revenue, but the Strategic Organizing Center is seeking to force the company to disclose more about its calculations of “breakage” revenue.

    By • Nov. 18, 2022
  • Krispy Kreme's Times Square location in NYC
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    Courtesy of Krispy Kreme
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    Krispy Kreme agrees to $1.1M settlement in DOL wage violation probe

    The doughnut chain admitted no wrongdoing after an investigation alleged widespread and systematic underpayment of workers for overtime. 

    By • Nov. 18, 2022
  • A photo of Starbucks workers participating in a strike in Nottingham, Maryland, Nov. 17, 2022
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    Permission granted by Aleah Bacetti
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Over 110 unionized Starbucks stores strike on Red Cup day

    In the union’s largest one-day strike to date, thousands of workers walked out on Thursday, coinciding with the company’s yearly reusable holiday cup debut.

    By • Nov. 17, 2022
  • A person in a coat rides a bicycle holding a red DoorDash bag.
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    Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    NYC proposes $23.82 hourly delivery worker wage by 2025

    A proposed app-based delivery worker wage would initially rise to $17.87 in January from a reported hourly average of $7.09, excluding tips.

    By • Nov. 17, 2022
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    Permission granted by DoorDash
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    DoorDash enhances driver safety

    A year after introducing its SafeDash program, DoorDash has added five additional functions, including real-time safety alerts and check-ins.

    By • Nov. 14, 2022
  • A woman sitting at a table using her phone as a calculator. On the table there are financial charts.
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    Hispanistic via Getty Images
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    Study: 63% of small restaurants wanted Republicans to control Congress

    Most small businesses are concerned with rising interest rates and feel the GOP would've been better equipped to manage macroeconomic challenges.

    By • Nov. 14, 2022
  • Starbucks Workers United / Starbucks pro-union employees
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    Permission granted by Starbucks Workers United
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    5 store-level changes driving the Starbucks union

    The union’s proposals often focus on specific changes to systems workers interact with all day, every day, including equipment and mobile ordering.

    By • Nov. 10, 2022
  • An image of a hand putting a dollar in a tip jar.
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    SDI Productions via Getty Images
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    DC voters eliminate tipped minimum wage

    The passage of Initiative 82 will phase out the District's tip credit beginning next year, with wages increasing from $5.35 to $16.10 by 2027.

    By • Nov. 9, 2022
  • Unionized Starbucks workers strike
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    Deep Dive // Starbucks unionization efforts

    Union proposals at odds with Starbucks’ contract goals

    The union’s demand for a seat at the decision table would restrict Starbucks' power, experts say, so the company may use its deep pockets to drag out the bargaining process and protect its interests.

    By • Nov. 9, 2022