The Working Lunch

Target got a big public relations boost with its planned $15/hr minimum wage increase for store workers and other employers are feeling pressure to do the same. The Align crew explains why this was more about an overall business strategy than a few weeks of good PR and media attention.

Plus, the franchise business model took a hit this week with a report that puts some of the blame for low wages around the country, despite low unemployment, on restaurant companies.

Those stories, the legislative scorecard and a twist on paid leave that includes time off to care for a new puppy.

On this episode of Working Lunch, "There's blood in the water," after TGI Fridays settles for more than $19 million over alleged wage theft. Trial lawyers focused on labor issues have been watching the results closely and employers should expect further scrutiny. Plus, lawmakers in the District of Columbia are backing off of aggressive policy initiatives involving labor standards. We'll explain what this means for businesses who have been appealing to the city for relief. Those stories and the latest legislative updates from around the country.

The Trump alliance with top Democrats continues. How long will it last and what does it mean for the issues that affect your business operations. Employers should keep a close eye on how this relationship could end up favoring the agenda of labor unions.

Wash your hands for this next one because a new study shows raising the minimum wage "too much too soon" diminishes restaurant hygiene.

Plus, it's been a busy week in Washington, D.C. with developments on paid leave, joint employer and health care.

Americans say they support labor unions more than they have in than a decade. The question is, will that change Labor's strategy trying to bring in new members and should entry-level employers be worried?

President Trump sided with Democratic leadership this week over the debt ceiling. Both sides showed a willingness to work together. On this episode, Align's take on whether this impacts tax reform talks and getting something done.

Plus, lots of news out of Massachusetts on the legislative scorecard involving ballot initiatives that could impact operators. Those developments and the latest on paid leave in various parts of the country.

Entry-level employers from restaurants and retail stores face a second wave of challenges following Hurricane Harvey. Now that many of their employees no longer have a place to work, the Align reviews the challenges and opportunities ahead for businesses. This week's legislative scorecard has news on the Trump administration's plan to end the Obama-era equal pay data collection rule. Plus, companies are keeping a close eye on Missouri where new developments in efforts to increase the minimum wage could be modeled in other parts of the country.

Major companies are joining forces in ways that will drastically change commerce and business models as we know them. There is a major shift coming for the policies that matter most to operators and how they should be handled within federal, state and local governments. This week, the Align crews gives analysis about what is changing and why employers should keep one eye on tomorrow and another on future tech disruptions. Plus, this week's legislative scorecard has NLRB and wage news including an update about the DC restaurant that stuck a three percent surcharge on every bill to pay for minimum wage increases. It didn't work out so well.

The policy priorities of employers continue to fall apart as President Trump's escalating controversies drag the business agenda far off course. Also on the podcast this week, the Align Public Strategies crew explains how things went for a billionaire restaurant owner who stuck a three percent surcharge on customer bills over a local minimum wage increase. Hint: It wasn't good. Those stories plus the legislative scorecard including a warning to employers from the IRS about Affordable Care Act requirements that still exist.

The Department of Agriculture threatened to pull almost $90 million in food stamp funding from the entire state of Illinois over how Cook County's sugary drink tax is being implemented in places like Chicago. This week's analysis from the Align Public Strategies crew includes what this warning from the feds means for other municipalities trying to pass a soda tax.

Plus, remember when the Fight for $15 movement used to shutdown streets with protesters? Whatever happened to them and why have they become so quiet lately. What's next for the movement? Twelve, maybe?

Those stories and the legislative scorecard from the week including joint employers rulings out of DC.

This is a special episode of Working Lunch recorded in front a live audience at the 2017 FRLA Marketing & Operations Summit in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Guests include Joe Kadow, EVP and Chief Legal Officer of Bloomin' Brands, Inc. and Lino Maldonado, VP of Operations for the Gulf Region for Wyndham Vacation Rentals North America. They, along with Align Public Strategies partners Joe Kefauver and Franklin Coley, provide expert insight and analysis about the latest policy, politics and social issues impacting entry-level employers.

RESTAURANTS AND RETAILERS GET DRAGGED BACK INTO THE IMMIGRATION CONVERSATION THANKS TO A NEW SENATE BILL AND THE ROLLOUT OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY. THROW ANOTHER NOTCH IN THE LOSS COLUMN.

THIS WEEK'S LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD HAS NEWS ABOUT THE PUSH FOR MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES IN SEVERAL STATES AND CITIES INCLUDING ATTEMPTS AT SEVERAL BALLOT INITIATIVES TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON.