By Natalia Rueda 
California fast-food workers received news of a wage increase on Monday, September 11, news that was long overdue and welcomed with great excitement. A year-long standoff between unions and franchises has resulted in a deal that will bring the minimum wage of those employed at fast-food establishments with at least 60 branches nationwide up from $15,50 to $20 an hour.
The increase, set to be effective from April 1, 2024, comes months after the announcement that the minimum wage in California would rise to $16 an hour, making it one of the highest in the country. It is estimated that the change will benefit over 500,000 workers, 60% of whom are from the Latino community, providing them with a more significant paycheck and a greater degree of financial security.
“Many of us (in the fast food industry) have to work two jobs to pay the bills; this will give us a little cushion,” said Ingrid Vilorio, an employee at Jack In The Box in San Francisco for the Los Angeles Times.
The agreement, achieved after much negotiation between unions and fast food franchises, also includes annual increases up until 2029. It is not applicable to bakeries, however it highlights the meaningful strides that are being taken in the industry towards providing workers with fairer wages and more equitable opportunities.
This historic pay increase for California’s fast-food workers symbolizes the power of collective action and demonstrates that advocacy and activism have the power to bring meaningful change that can improve the lives of millennials, families, and businesses alike.
With information from Los Angeles Times