The California Fast-food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act (FAST Recovery Act) signed into law on September 5, 2022, has been temporary been blocked. The law will create a Fast-Food Council (Council) within the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). The purpose of the Council is to establish sector wide minimum standards on wages, 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. Full details on the law’s provisions are available in this prior post from HR Works.
The Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, has issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the California Department of Industrial Relations from implementing or enforcing the FAST Recovery Act. This injunction remains in effect until either:
- A referendum petition qualifies for the ballot and is then approved by a majority of California voters at the November 5, 2024, election, in which case, the Act would take effect; or
- County elections officials and the California Secretary of State determine that the referendum petition failed to contain sufficient valid signatures to qualify for the ballot, or the referendum petition qualifies for the ballot but the Act is rejected by a majority of California voters at the November 5, 2024, election, in which case, the Act would not take effect.
Next Steps for Employers
While the injunction remains in place, covered employers do not need to comply with the Act.
HR Works will continue to monitor this topic and provide updated information as needed.
