NPR.

Here in the US, labor negotiations almost always work in a bottom-up fashion, right?

Employees that are a particular company or work site, they get to talking and say,

let's form a union.

And then they try to negotiate with management and if they're successful, boom, you got

a contract.

But last week, California passed a law that essentially flips that dynamic on its head.

The law is called the Fast Recovery Act because it applies specifically to most fast food

restaurants.

And instead of the grassroots approach, the law calls for the formation of a fast food

council.

Actual name.

Sounds delicious.

And this 10-member council will bring together representatives for companies and workers.

And after some negotiation, they'll decide on wage and working standards for hundreds

of employers and half a million workers, both union and not union.

This by the way is a first of its kind law in the US.

A top-down approach to labor relations that has some worker advocates very excited.

Some business owners very exasperated and both sides muttering this wonky sounding phrase,

sectoral bargaining.

This is the indicator for plenty of money.

I'm Adrienne Ma.

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