The Working Lunch

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 marijuana removed from drug testing policies. Plus, there is plenty to get to on this week’s legislative scorecard with news on minimum wage initiatives, paid leave and a landmark case out of California over how workers should be classified.

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 Scorecard, how paid leave is sweeping across Texas while there is model sexual harassment legislation emerging in New York.

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 employees about the brand? Also on the show, Align has several updates to stories first mentioned last week including another a new soda tax study, ICE raids and an influential conservative think tank calling for a paid leave policy.

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 scheduling updates. And on the lighter side, how to get a date using Chick-fil-A.

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 no signs of slowing down. What does that mean for future policy and the reputation of the restaurant industry? Those stories plus the legislative scorecard with the latest political and policy stories affecting employers around the country.

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 examining the political landscape and messaging that's having an effect on state and local races heading into primary season and the midterm elections. Those stories plus the legislative scorecard from around the country including Gap, Inc.’s role in the scheduling debate.

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 one nation appears to fancy its version of a soda tax. Those stories plus the Legislative Scorecard with top items affecting business operators around the country.

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 around the country as moderate Democrats become more likely to run…and win. This show has the latest updates from the legislative scorecard from around the country and a look at some industry disruption news and the types of public policy that could emerge from it.

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 minimum hourly pay and paid leave.

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 school shooting in Parkland, FL. What are the risks of companies taking a stand on controversial issues with pressure from both sides.