‘Fast food’ fury at bills
Two City Council bills that seek stiff regulations on how fast-food restaurants can fire or lay off employees were blasted by the business community Tuesday as a “sucker punch” to the already COVID-19-ravaged industry.
“As we rally to save our restaurants, fight to prevent another full-scale shutdown of the economy and push for a federal aid package, the New York City Council sucker punches the business community by pushing this legislation through,” Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Randy Peers railed at an afternoon press conference.
“This is the ultimate expression of how disconnected the City Council is from the reality the small businesses are facing today.”
The bills, which the Committee on Civil Service and Labor voted through 5-1 on Tuesday, would bar fast-food establishments from firing workers without just cause and require new staffers to be canned before tenured workers if layoffs are necessary.
The lone no vote was cast by Queens Councilman Eric Ulrich (R), who said, “This just feels like another burden that’s being placed on small businesses and restaurants during a very, very difficult time.”
The full council is set to vote on the measures Thursday.
Business leaders said the bills were tantamount to legislating unionization without bargaining and would further hurt reeling businesses. They would only apply to big chain eateries with 30 or more restaurants.
“These bills represent gross municipal overreach, question the authority of New York state and are fundamentally illegal,” said Michael Brady, CEO of the Bronx’s Third Avenue Business Improvement District.
“These bills will drive unemployment and automation and are not what New York City needs now or ever. Collective bargaining by legislation is wrong and sets a precedent for all New York City businesses.
“Remove your foot from our necks!”
Bill sponsor Councilman Brad Lander (D-Brooklyn) defended the legislation.
“We should all be able to agree that no one should be fired on a whim,” Lander said in a statement.