The Working Lunch

On this episode of Working Lunch, Jeff Hanscom from the International Franchise Association joins us to discuss the latest in anti-poaching and non-compete clauses targeted at franchisees in an effort to address wage stagnation. Also, we will take a look at this week’s election results in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Connecticut and why they matter to operators. Those stories and more plus the weekly...

On this episode of Working Lunch, we explore how election results in Ohio and Kansas could impact employers. ICE continues immigration raids, this time indicting employers in Minnesota and Nebraska. California goes after a retailer on wage theft. And, finally New York City moves to regulate Uber drivers and what that could mean for delivery. Those stories and more plus the weekly legislative score...

On this episode of Working Lunch, Republican Senator Marco Rubio introduces legislation to establish a national paid parental leave program. Speaking of DC, the city council is considering repealing the new law eliminating the tip credit passed by voters just two months ago. Additionally, Starbucks is in the news again for the wrong reason - this time for wage and hour violations in California. Th...

On this episode of Working Lunch, the NAACP scored a major victory in Alabama that could alter the national conversation on minimum wage. Additionally, more primary election results this week underscore the impact of President Trump. And ballot initiatives are back in the news - the CEO of the Michigan Restaurant Association stops by to discuss paid leave and minimum wage ballot proposals in his s...

On this episode of Working Lunch, the City of Chicago is proposing a pilot project to establish a universal basic income for some residents that will be displaced by the new economy and automation. Considering the size and importance of Chicago, it could accelerate the national conversation around universal basic income. Additionally, the joint employer settlement between McDonald’s and the NLRB w...

On this episode of Working Lunch, the paid leave proposal Sen. Marco Rubio and others are shopping around Capitol Hill would allow workers to get paid parental leave by collecting early Social Security benefits. In an effort to offset the cost, they would then have to defer collecting benefits for a short time when they retire. Also, what employers should expect from the SCOTUS nominee and the lat...

On this episode of the Working Lunch podcast, the Align crew discusses the looming reputational crises heading towards restaurant and retail owners over single-use plastic products and the impact that President Trump’s trade war will have not only on operators but also the coming midterm elections in November. Those stories and more plus the weekly Legislative Scorecard.

On this episode of The Working Lunch podcast, the Align crew analyzes California's new soda tax and data privacy laws that could have nationwide impacts. Plus, an extended interview about the so-called grand bargain in Massachusetts that includes an increased minimum wage and guaranteed paid family and medical leave. Those stories plus the legislative scorecard with top items from around the count...

On this episode of the Working Lunch podcast, the Align crew explains why the fight over tipped wages is far from over in D.C. despite an overwhelming vote in favor of increasing the minimum wage and why the conversation will spread around the country. Plus, the Supreme Court's internet sales tax ruling will impact industries beyond retail including restaurants. This show also has as extended inte...

This week's Working Lunch podcast features details about a proposal in New York City that could deeply impact more than 700 brands, from restaurants to retailers. The proposal's sweeping language points directly at the franchisor and franchisee business model and would make franchisors liable for the actions of their franchisees. Meantime, the Align Public Strategies crew examines how The Cheeseca...

This week the Align crew digs into gig economy stats that no one predicted. The release of Bureau of Labor data reveals the number of people working in “alternative” work like gig-related jobs is shrinking, not going up as highly respected economists have been saying. How should business operators plan for the future workforce with numbers like this, and is there a bigger trend to consider? Also o...

On this episode of Working Lunch, a looming union strike involving 50,000 restaurant, bar and casino workers threatens the City of Las Vegas amidst contentious contract talks. The Align crew explains the threat, the history of a strike this size and why robots are part of the negotiation. Plus, Walmart becomes the largest retail or restaurant company to offer employees paid online classes from sev...

On this episode of the Working Lunch podcast, the Align crew examines organized labor’s tie to lawsuits against McDonald’s over sexual harassment complaints and why smaller restaurant companies should pay attention to the Fight for $15 strategy. Robots replaced chefs at a high-end Boston restaurant. Plus, it’s time for the restaurant industry to “get in the game” on a variety of new economy issues...

On this episode of Working Lunch, the Align team has an extended interview with one of the key people guiding the restaurant industry through major policy issues around the country. They talked to the National Restaurant Association's head of government affairs, Cicely Simpson, about menu labeling and blueprint for proactive efforts on a variety of issues. Meanwhile workers at a second Burgerville...

On this episode of the Working Lunch podcast, the Align crew brings in experts on the joint employer issue and the global trade debate to explain more about how they are impacting business relationships. The Trump administration’s stance on trade is already costing companies more money for the price of goods because of an uncertain market. Both policy experts address what operators can do as these...

On this episode of the Working Lunch podcast from Align Public Strategies - Marijuana. The Department of Labor secretary enters the conversation with words that suggest the administration is willing to loosen it’s stance on the drug related to testing for employment. States are doing the same and employers may find themselves in a political fight at state houses where some legislators want marijua...

Big week in labor organizing news to unravel on the Working Lunch podcast with a win out west where workers voted to unionize a Burgerville restaurant, and a second one might not be far behind. But in Washington D.C., labor organizing activity is getting pushback from Congress which is taking a fresh look at worker center groups and their union-like activity. Plus, on this week’s Legislative Score...

On this episode of the Working Lunch podcast the Align team takes a closer look at the tightening job market in the new economy and the expectations workers have for higher wages to portable benefits and more. All of it is making it harder to recruit and retain workers. Plus, as Starbucks gets ready to shutdown 8000 stores for racial-bias training, what message is the company communicating to its...

On this episode of the Working Lunch podcast, what the House Speaker’s retirement means for the business community, fiscal conservatives and midterm elections around the country. Plus, the planets are aligning for advocates of a soda tax as a new report shows the tax is working toward reducing the amount of soda consumption. This week’s legislative scorecard includes wage, paid leave and schedulin...

On this episode of the Working Lunch podcast, the first QSR in the country is set to unionize. The crew at Align analyzes what happened to Burgerville and whether the playbook for unionizing restaurants been written heading into the union vote. Should other QSR operators start preparing for this at their restaurant? Also on the show, the six-month anniversary of the #MeToo movement that is showing...

On this week’s episode of the Working Lunch podcast, the Align crew explains how a new health study, funded by several million dollars of federal spending could dramatically change the course of the minimum wage conversation by linking wages to obesity and other health issues. The study will compare workers over the next five years in two popular cities. Plus, it’s never too early to start examini...

On this episode of the Working Lunch podcast, the Align crew sorts out a bundle of news items from the week including the McDonald’s settlement with the NLRB and what, if anything, it means to the joint employer issue; Congress added tip sharing language to its major spending bill; Uber drivers in New York City want to be paid a minimum wage which could affect delivery costs someday; and at least...

On this episode of the Working Lunch podcast, the Align crew reveals how the current debate over tipped wages is now being impacted by the #MeToo movement. They explain the policy risks if this trend continues and why retailers should start paying attention to this development as well. Plus, the outcome of a congressional race in Pennsylvania could change the conversation over key business issues...

McDonald’s flipped its golden arches for International Women's Day and opened the door to attacks over its employment practices. Grilling on Capitol Hill, the labor secretary was in the hot seat over tipped wages and a voluntary wage theft program, the Align crew analyzes the impact on both issues. Plus, the legislative scorecard includes news about major brands making big announcements over minim...

There’s major uncertainty for the franchise business model as the NLRB shifts course and brings back an Obama-era joint employment standard. The Align crew explains what’s next on the issue and they have an interview with the Sr. VP of Government Affairs for the International Franchising Association. Also on the show, how major brands are responding to the nationwide gun issue following the high s...