Labor and Policy: Page 9

  • Atosa Catering Equipment's prototype fry machine at the National Restaurant Association show on May 22, 2023.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Cooking up automation: 4 labor-saving tech solutions at the NRA Show

    From a hand scanner that detects contaminates to a robot arm that can fry, salt and package food, technology is transforming the back of house.

    By • May 23, 2023
  • A Beyond Meat double cheeseburger with a toothpick flag of the company's logo sits on a counter.
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    Courtesy of Beyond Meat
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    Beyond Meat sued by investors who claim they were misled

    According to the litigation, the plant-based meat company and its leaders provided an overly optimistic outlook about its growth prospects, causing investors to lose money while a former executive sold his own stock.

    By Megan Poinski • May 15, 2023
  • 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

    Starbucks union faces 3 decertification petitions in New York

    The petitions are unlikely to result in elections to remove the union from the stores, but Starbucks’ hardball tactics may be working. 

    By • Updated May 12, 2023
  • McDonald's drive thru sign
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    DOL says it discovered 10-year-olds working at Louisville McDonald’s

    “We are seeing an increase in federal child labor violations,” a DOL district director said.

    By Emilie Shumway • May 4, 2023
  • A delivery robot crosses a busy street.
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    Carlos Osorio/AP

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    Deep Dive

    Why delivery robots face a regulatory ‘nightmare’

    Laws for sidewalk-roaming bots have taken hold across states. But variances in each bill complicate the industry's expansion plans.

    By Max Garland • May 3, 2023
  • Mary Kay Henry with fast food workers at a strike line.
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    Courtesy of SEIU
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    Q&A

    How the biggest private sector union wants to transform the restaurant workforce

    SEIU President Mary Kay Henry outlines strategies to kickstart a national fast food union and reform labor law.

    By • May 1, 2023
  • Ben & Jerry's explains "defunding the police" with scoops of ice cream
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    Retrieved from Ben & Jerry's on November 18, 2020
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    Ben & Jerry’s recognizes scoopers’ union following card check

    The ice cream chain may be the first national brand to sign a set of principles that have formed a core demand in other campaigns, including Starbucks Workers United.

    By • Updated June 1, 2023
  • A view of a Wendy's restaurant on May 12, 2021 in Pinole, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s says franchise recruitment initiative is helping it meet D&I goals

    The news comes just two years after Wendy’s announced the hire of its first vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer.

    By Ryan Golden • April 28, 2023
  • A Grubhub worker and a JOCO bike.
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    Courtesy of Grubhub
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    Grubhub will offer monthly e-bike credits to 500 NYC delivery workers

    Grubhub and e-bike rental platform JOCO say their joint bike rental credit program could improve fire safety in the Big Apple, where 11 people have died in e-bike battery-related fires in 16 months.

    By • April 27, 2023
  • A photo of Natalie Rothman, Inspire's incoming Chief People Officer.
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    Courtesy of Inspire Brands
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    Inspire Brands hires new HR chief

    Natalie Rothman, Inspire’s incoming chief people officer, has led the HR efforts of large employers including Advance Autoparts and PepsiCo global foodservice.

    By • April 27, 2023
  • The storefront of an Insomnia Cookies bakery is pictured in East Lansing, Michigan on October 22, 2014.
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    "E Lansing Insomnia Cookies" by Infrogmation of New Orleans is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Insomnia Cookies served class-action suit over alleged unpaid wages

    Class- and collective-action claims have led to costly settlements for food service companies in recent years, particularly where delivery work is involved.

    By Ryan Golden • April 25, 2023
  • The headquarters of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Washington, D.C.
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    Ryan Golden/Restaurant Dive
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    Restaurant settles claim it revoked stool from pregnant host because it ‘did not look good’

    The Wichita, Kansas, steakhouse will pay $55,000 to settle the EEOC’s accommodation claim.

    By Kate Tornone • April 19, 2023
  • The exterior of a Hooter restaurant
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    Courtesy of Hooters Press Kit
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    Hooters franchisee settles DOJ claim that it refused worker’s I-9 documentation

    The company must pay a penalty, provide back pay and train staff on the law’s requirements.

    By Carolyn Crist • April 17, 2023
  • An image of a sign saying "Staff wanted" at a restaurant.
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    Ceri Breeze via Getty Images
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    Independent restaurant hiring reaches 6-month high

    In March, 61% of independent operators hired permanent and temporary employees compared to 50% in February, according to Alignable data. 

    By • April 17, 2023
  • Slutty Vegan founder and CEO Pinky Cole and Senator Raphael Warnock stand in front of a Slutty Vegan restaurant, surrounded by press.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Burger chain Slutty Vegan and its affiliate, Bar Vegan, face wage and hour lawsuits

    Slutty Vegan did not pay promised bonuses or proper overtime, workers in the chain’s Brooklyn and Atlanta locations have alleged.

    By Emilie Shumway • April 17, 2023
  • Close shot of the U.S. Capitol dome against the bright blue sky.
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    Brendan Hoffman via Getty Images
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    Restaurant Revitalization Fund

    A look inside the proposed Restaurant Revitalization Tax Credit

    The legislators behind the Restaurant Revitalization Fund have proposed a tax credit of up to $25,000 per quarter in 2023 for restaurants that are struggling with pandemic debts. Would your business be eligible?

    By • April 14, 2023
  • A bank of windows below a red sign that says "Chipotle." A man stands in the background inside the restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Chipotle faces shareholder push over labor rights

    NYC pension funds, which own over $80 million in Chipotle stock, are urging the chain to adopt International Labor Organization standards on freedom of association and collective bargaining. 

    By • Updated April 3, 2023
  • A McDonald's store is shown in Houston, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s reportedly gears up for corporate layoffs

    Employees have been asked to work remotely from Monday to Wednesday so leadership can lay workers off virtually, The Wall Street Journal reports. 

    By • April 3, 2023
  • Sen. Bernie Sanders address Howard Schultz at a hearing of the Senate committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    4 things you may have missed during Starbucks Senate showdown

    Schultz’s testimony indicated the company’s anti-union strategy is working to weaken the union. But the union said the hearing emboldened its members.

    By • March 31, 2023
  • Unionized Starbucks workers strike
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    Permission granted by Starbucks Workers United
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Starbucks shareholders vote for labor rights review

    In a win for Starbucks Workers United, Starbucks shareholders urged the company to review its adherence to international labor standards.

    By • March 30, 2023
  • Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz before the Senate HELP committee.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Howard Schultz faces off against workers, Sanders at HELP committee hearing

    The former CEO said Starbucks did not break U.S. labor law, but Senate Democrats and workers who testified after Schultz disagreed.

    By • March 29, 2023
  • A picture of a Chipotle with a pickup lane.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle will pay $240K to settle with union over Maine store closure

    The Mexican chain said it is settling with Chipotle United and the National Labor Relations Board to avoid a protracted and expensive regulatory battle.

    By • March 27, 2023
  • Starbucks workers on strike outside a Seattle Starbucks in June 2022.
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    Christopher Doering/Restaurant Dive
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Starbucks union welcomes CEO with 115-store strike

    Laxman Narasimhan faces a nationwide demonstration of Starbucks Workers United members, who are urging for cooperation, one day before the chain’s annual shareholder meeting.

    By • March 22, 2023
  • A close-up image of two Papa Johns pizza boxes
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    Joe Raedle / Staff via Getty Images
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    Papa Johns fired worker with vision disability who needed service dog, EEOC alleges

    Misconceptions still linger about service animals, including their risk to health and safety, EEOC says.

    By Emilie Shumway • March 20, 2023
  • A bike courier with a red delivery bag.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    California court defends independent contractor status for gig workers

    The California Court of Appeal upheld the independent contractor provision of Prop 22, but struck down portions that would’ve made it almost impossible to amend the law. 

    By • March 14, 2023