The Working Lunch

Political turmoil reached an all-time high during the current Republican control of Congress and the White House. This week the Align crew finds places for business operators to find momentum on their key policy issues at the federal level as new doors could open in states. Also on this episode of Working Lunch, a "skinny," summer edition of the legislative scorecard with a handful of labor updates that impact brands around the country.

An already intense debate over minimum wage increases is heating up with the labor community fighting back on the airwaves over a credible study knocking Seattle’s increase. This week the crew at Align Public Strategies looks at how the conversation around this issue is shaping up and what it means looking forward. Also on the podcast, there is actual work getting done in Washington D.C. that is positive for the business community. Those stories plus the legislative scorecard with news on wages, paid leave and other top items from around the country.

This week the Align crew explains why a scheduling mandate with bipartisan support in Oregon could become the template for states to use around the country. Also, CEO pay is going to get a lot more scrutiny for publicly traded companies starting in 2018, we'll explain why. Those stories plus a summer edition of the legislative scorecard.

How a new study could revolutionize minimum wage research around the country--This week the Align Public Strategies crew explains the importance of a controversial report that could shake up how policy makers evaluate the true impact of rapidly raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Entry-level employers were right about their concerns and the latest research method proves it. This episode of Working Lunch explains what study means for the debate in the future. That’s the focus of the show, plus the latest wage, scheduling and other policy issues in this week’s legislative scorecard.

Republicans got another win in a special election while Democratic voters turnout big in GOP territory. The Align crew describes what it all mean heading into the Senate’s vote on a possible health care repeal. 

Plus, a big disruption in food retail—Business operators better watch out for a powerful union’s next move in response to Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods. Those stories and the legislative scorecard.

Quietly, the Trump administration, Congress and D.C. think tanks are taking on labor policy issues that matter to entry-level employers. Meanwhile, primary election results in Virginia's gubernatorial race may give Republicans on Capitol Hill second thoughts about carrying out the president's agenda. All that plus the legislative scorecard from the crew at Align Public Strategies.

This is a special episode of Working Lunch--an extended interview with Firehouse Subs CEO Don Fox. Hear how he achieved a competitive advantage by getting smart about government policy and politics. He talks about the biggest threats to P&L, the sales benefit of building strong community relationships, and what he got out of reading every page of the Affordable Care Act.

Business operators all over the country are dealing with labor shortages. It’s a crisis for some brands and that shortage is also disrupting policies and politics on various levels. On this episode the Align Public Strategies crew examines changes that are happening including women leaving the labor force, immigration and inmates being released from jails to fill jobs. Those issues plus the legislative scorecard from around the country.

BIG WEEK FOR OPERATORS HEADING INTO THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. RESTAURANTS AND RETAILERS WHO ACCEPT DEBIT CARD PAYMENTS GOT A BREAK FROM REPUBLICANS AND BEAT THE BANKS. PAID FAMILY LEAVE MADE IT INTO THE TRUMP BUDGET PROPOSAL. WE’LL EXPLAIN HOW THIS WILL LIKELY PLAY OUT FROM EMPLOYERS. THOSE STORIES AND MORE PLUS THE LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.

On this episode, the Align crew details why New York City will not wait for delayed federal requirements on menu labeling and the mayor’s call to action for other cities to follow. The distractions in D.C. are getting worse which means our legislative agenda is sidelined. Meanwhile, President Trump and Congress appear heading toward a possible agreement of paid leave for mothers and fathers.