"California Sets New Industry Standard with $20 Minimum Wage for Fast Food Workers"

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law that will raise the minimum wage for fast food workers in the state to $20 per hour starting next year, making it the highest guaranteed base salary in the industry. The move is seen as an acknowledgment that many fast food workers are the primary earners for their low-income households. The law also settles a dispute between labor unions and business groups, with unions dropping their attempt to hold fast food corporations liable for the actions of their independent franchise operators. The law will be effective from April 1, 2022, and includes provisions for annual wage increases through 2029.