I wonder why @CAgovernor @GavinNewsom’s food businesses don’t pay $20/hour? Live job posting at $16/hr in Olympic Valley. It’s very, very expensive to live there… but he doesn’t do as he tells others and doesn’t pay a living wage. t.co/hwppKvQgSY pic.twitter.com/JcVDF5PrsD
— Joe Patterson (@Patterdude) April 2, 2024
Outrage erupts as California Governor Gavin Newsom’s restaurant, the PlumpJack Café, brazenly advertises positions with a paltry $16 hourly wage—well below the newly mandated $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers. This revelation casts a glaring spotlight on the stark hypocrisy of Newsom’s stance on labor rights, as he champions progressive policies while his own establishments fall short of meeting basic wage standards.
As of April 1, a new state law came into effect in California, guaranteeing a minimum wage of $20 per hour for fast-food workers employed in large chains, a significant increase from the previous minimum of $16. This legislation, hailed by Democrats as a victory for workers’ rights, has faced criticism from Republicans who argue it could lead to job losses.
PlumpJack Café, touted as “Lake Tahoe’s premier dining destination,” proudly displays job listings for positions such as bussers, hosts, servers, and food runners, all offering a meager $16 hourly wage. Meanwhile, the restaurant flaunts its opulent offerings, including a $5,300 bottle of Burgundy and exorbitantly priced entrees such as pan-roasted Norwegian salmon for $49 and prime New York strip for $67.
Another Newsom-owned establishment, the Balboa Cafe in San Francisco’s upscale Marina district, also undercuts the mandated wage hike by offering an “on-call cocktail server” position for $18.07 per hour. Despite Newsom’s vocal support for fair wages, his luxury restaurants continue to exploit workers with substandard pay while serving up lavish dishes and indulgences for affluent clientele.
As the public outcry grows louder, questions arise about Newsom’s commitment to equitable labor practices and his true priorities in balancing the interests of workers and the wealthy elite.
Sources:
www.newsweek.com/gavin-newsom-restaurant-16-hourly-wage-california-plumpjack-cafe-1886313
Mod Pizza closes 5 California locations as $20-an-hour minimum wage law takes effect t.co/GcRHfY0CRs pic.twitter.com/x0kisV4Pmm
— New York Post (@nypost) April 4, 2024