ONE BIG THING: FAST FOOD FAIR WORK MOTION PASSES CITY COUNCIL
What Happened?
This week, our motion looking to expand basic worker protections to fast food employees passed the City Council!
The motion calls for a report on implementing:
✔️ Predictable scheduling
✔️ Paid time off
✔️ “Know Your Rights” trainings
We were able to fend off two amendments that would have delayed or weakened the motion — including one looking to exempt Fast Food Chains in “Food Deserts” from these protections.
Food deserts aren’t just places where fresh food is scarce – they’re communities where people are often forced to work multiple jobs and don’t have the time or resources to seek out healthier options. We shouldn’t be giving fast food corporations a free pass to exploit these neighborhoods – we should be fighting to expand access to affordable, nutritious alternatives.
Thankfully, we were able to defeat this provision in a 10-5 vote.
Why it Matters
Right now in LA:
❌ 1 in 4 fast food workers is paid less than minimum wage
❌ The average fast food worker loses 16% of their pay to wage theft – $3,500/year
❌ 88% don’t know their basic workplace rights
❌Industry turnover is 150% annually
These conditions are no accident.
LA already has a Fair Work Week Law for many workers, but fast food workers remain unprotected. Now, massive fast food corporations – who pour millions into local political campaigns – are lobbying heavily to keep it that way.
This legislation is about correcting past mistakes that have enabled exploitation, and being proactive about how we can improve conditions in one of our society’s most toxic industries to work in.
What’s Next?
The City will now look at the impacts of these policies and will present a report to City Council in the coming months. After city departments present their report, the City Council can vote on the actual law implementing these policies. Stay tuned for updates!
Read more from LAist’s Libby Rainey
Two More Quick Hits
- The Right to A Lawyer in Eviction Court
In criminal court, everyone has the right to a lawyer. But in eviction court, renters are on their own.
But this week, City Council passed a historic law to provide lawyers for many renters facing eviction, funded through 10% of Measure ULA funds that are allocated for eviction defense.
Before this law, just 3% of tenants had a lawyer, compared to 88% of landlords. That extreme imbalance leads to the opposite of justice – families losing their homes without ever knowing their rights
After New York passed a Right to Counsel Law, 84% of tenants with a lawyer remained in their homes. In San Francisco, eviction filings dropped 10% after passing a similar law.
- 🎬 Fighting for Hollywood Workers
LA’s entertainment workers are hurting. Fewer productions mean fewer jobs — and the effects are rippling through our local economy.
That’s why we’re proud to co-sponsor new legislation from Councilmember Adrin Nazarian to keep Hollywood in Hollywood. The motion calls on the City to:
✅ Boost support for local productions
✅ Cut red tape for permitting
✅ Develop incentives to bring jobs back
✅ Work with unions and small businesses to support the entertainment workforce
Hollywood is in District 13 — and we’re going to fight to keep it here.
Read more from Deadline’s Peter White
- Across the District THIS SUNDAY, April 6
We have some incredible events coming up this Sunday, April 6 (tomorrow) in the district:
CicLAvia – Koreatown Meets Hollywood from 9am-4pm offers car-free streets in one of the most culturally-rich parts of the city.
Psyanka Festival from 12pm-5pm is the Ukrainian celebration of Easter at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, with elaborately decorated eggs, delicious food, and free performances.
Regenerative Flea from 12pm-4pm for LA Climate Week at Unidad Park (featuring the newly-renovated playground!)
CD13 Pet of the Week
Rango is a chill companion, who matches the energy of those around him—he’s a
chameleon wink-wink! At 81lbs, he values his rest but is always up for a walk, run, or hike.
This gentle giant is known for his sweet and calm demeanor, making him a perfect fit for families with kids. He’s also a quick learner, having mastered both crate and potty training with ease.
He is currently being fostered, if looking to adopt please email ani.foster@lacity.org!
