SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As California prepares to implement a new fast-food labor law, a Southern California ice cream shop owner is challenging the law’s application and the process of determining exemptions by a labor group rather than the government.
The law, surrounded by controversy, has raised questions about potential special exemptions, including allegations of favoritism towards certain businesses. Scheduled to take effect on April 1, the law mandates major fast-food chains in California to pay their workers a minimum of $20 per hour and adhere to specific regulations established by a state council until 2029.
Gaby Campbell, a franchisee at Handel’s Ice Cream, has been grappling with uncertainty over whether her shop falls under the law’s jurisdiction. Despite the law’s definition of a “national fast food chain,” Campbell argues that ice cream parlors like hers do not align with the typical fast-food establishment model.
Negotiated behind closed doors and facilitated by Governor Gavin Newsom’s office, the law’s process, including the use of nondisclosure agreements, has come under scrutiny. This lack of transparency has left business owners like Campbell in the dark regarding the criteria for inclusion in the law.
Campbell’s efforts to seek clarification from various parties, including lawmakers and labor groups, have yielded limited responses. Facing a lack of guidance, Campbell is left to navigate the complexities of the law on her own, highlighting the challenges faced by small business owners like herself.
As the implementation date approaches, Campbell’s frustration mounts as she seeks clarity on the law’s implications for her business and explores potential avenues for addressing her concerns through legal means.
In a statement, the SEIU California spokesperson emphasized the positive impact the law will have on over 500,000 workers, downplaying concerns raised by Campbell and others regarding the lack of clarity and communication in the law’s implementation and enforcement.
Amidst the uncertainty and frustrations expressed by Campbell and other small business owners, the debate over the fast-food labor law continues, underscoring the challenges of navigating complex legislation that could have far-reaching implications for businesses across California.