California labor unions are finally facing the consequences of their misguided actions. This year alone, several major policy pushes from unions across the state have backfired spectacularly. Now, employees are getting wise and kicking unions out.
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) – one of the state’ most influential unions – recently fought to pass a controversial $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers. The policy went into effect in April, and already we’re seeing it backfire on employees and business owners. The state has lost thousands of fast food jobs, while year over year growth in the fast-food industry has now slowed to its lowest point since the Great Recession, barring COVID losses in 2020.
Several major chains – including Burger King and In-N-Out Burger – raised prices to offset the higher wages. Many employers had to cut employee hours, and some restaurants, like a San Francisco McDonald’s, say the wage hike is the final nail in their coffin.
As if a reputation for pushing job-killing labor policies isn’t bad enough, other unions in the state decided to weigh in on Gaza. Spoiler alert: it didn’t end well.
When protesters across college campuses came out against Israel – destroying school property and setting up encampments in the process – the United Auto Workers (UAW) was one of their biggest supporters. These protesters were disciplined for their actions. In response, thousands of UAW-represented academic workers at University of California campuses across the state went on strike. They demanded amnesty for students who were punished for inciting vandalism and violence.