Voters To Determine Fate of Fast Food Workers Pay Raise

the Fast Food Council within the Department of Industrial Relations, to be composed of 10 members to be appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the Senate Rules Committee.

According to the bill’s language, the purpose of the council is to establish “sector-wide minimum standards on wages (up to $22/ hour in 2023 with capped annual increases), working hours, and other working conditions related to the health, safety, and welfare of, and supplying the necessary cost of proper living to, fast food restaurant workers, as well as effecting interagency coordination and prompt agency responses in this regard.” The act prohibits

Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Last September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 257 into law. Supporters of the legislation, authored by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), hailed it for its promise to provide a minimum wage and improve working conditions for fast food workers.

But late last month, the future of AB 257 -- also known as “the Fast Act” or “the Fast Food Recovery Act” -- came into question. California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber’s

(Illustration by Chris Allen, VOICE) office announced that a referendum seeking to overturn the law had gathered enough signatures to be placed on the November ballot.

“To qualify for the ballot,” the Secretary of State’s office wrote, “the referendum needed 623,212 valid petition signatures, which is equal to five percent of the total votes cast for governor in the November 2018 General Election.”

When AB 257 passed last year along party lines, it authorized the establishment of the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act or FAST Recovery Act. The bill established retaliation against fast-food workers for making certain workplace complaints.

Opponents of AB 257, led by a coalition called Save Local Restaurants, gathered more than 1 million signatures on a referendum petition. 712,000 of them were deemed to be valid by Weber’s office, putting the referendum on the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot.

The Los Angeles Times published an article telling the stories of 14 voters who say they were misled by canvassers collecting signatures for the referendum. Many of them said that continued on page 14

Temecula, continued from page 3 example, Racial Slurs Hurled at Cheer Squad During Football Game in Temecula; Temecula school employee fired for racist comments in TikTok, husband placed on leave; Parents revolted against critical race theory. Here's how they won; Temecula Valley High Racist Graffiti Targets Black Student.

All is not lost

Despite these realities, in August 2020, the council passed resolution No. 2020- 59 which established the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Commission whose mission seems contrary to the council’s declaration to no longer declare Black, Hispanic, Asian heritage or Gay Pride months, REDI is moving in the opposite direction as evidenced by its 2023 Proclamations that includes African American History, Women’s History, Arab American Heritage, Asian American and Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander, Jewish American Heritage, Pride Month, Hispanic/Latino Heritage and Native American Heritage Months for the city in 2023. Although this is welcomed action, it does appear the city is trying to have it both ways as if it is trying to somehow save face.

However, the REDI Commission has been under attack by right wing Temecula City Council Member Jessica Alexander who has been described as a “conservative firebrand. She stated during a council meeting in August 2021, that she doesn’t think the council should be focused on the issue of racism. "Race is not our thing here. It has to be taken care of in the church. I can't be your therapist."

With an extremist like Alexander on the council and the newly elected conservative majority on the city’s school board–even though the student population is now 60% students of color–the future of Temecula, like the rest of America, is obviously at a crossroads.

Despite the barrage of right-wing extremists actions by those stuck in a mindset of the “Lost Cause” and no matter what temporary victories they attain, the tide of history is against them, and shifting demographics will eventually drown such acts of hatred and vitriol like a sunami washes away everything in its wake.

Even today, students are taking a stand, as are many community leaders, parents, and others who are speaking out against acts of racism at school board and council meetings.

I am of the belief that every condition is only temporary and as the ancestors whispered, “this too shall pass”. But, we are not powerless in the moment. Temecula’s wineries attract a lot of tourism, weddings, and jazz lovers to its concerts, and in the process, bolsters the city’s economy. One of the most powerful tools we have against a mindset of racism and intolerance is to fight back with our dollars.

Until things in the city change, I will no longer attend jazz performances there or encourage friends and relatives who visit the inland region to tour its wineries. Temecula should no longer be an option for brunch or a venue for weddings.

I encourage people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ communities and all who believe in an inclusive future where every group’s history and contributions are valued, to do the same.

Of course, this is just my opinion. I’m keeping it real.