RE: Reject the Unnecessary and Unfair Restaurant Training Program (ID# 123859) – PROTECT Family-Owned Local Restaurants
Dear Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors:
On behalf of the undersigned family-owned local restaurants in Santa Clara County, we respectfully urge the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to REJECT the unnecessary and unfair restaurant training program currently under consideration. The proposed training program unfairly targets family-owned local restaurants – yet again – at a time when we’re already struggling with the state’s new $20/hr minimum wage.
Santa Clara County is home to more than 1,600 quick service restaurants. These independent, small and family-owned businesses are locally owned by people like us, including people of color, women and immigrants. Many of us come from traditionally marginalized communities. We’ve worked hard to beat the odds, achieve small business ownership and build something meaningful for our families and neighborhoods.
There is no evidence to justify further regulations specifically targeting local restaurants – especially as restaurants are already grappling with last year’s 25% wage hike and other regulatory mandates that only apply to them. To keep our businesses afloat after the wage hike, we’ve reluctantly and regrettably had to raise prices, lay off workers and/or cut worker hours. As a result, we’ve seen a drop-off in customers and many restaurants have even shut down..
Not only would this training program further single-out our restaurants, it’s also unnecessary. California law already requires local restaurants to provide every employee with extensive notices of their rights and training. Further, California recently established a statewide Fast Food Council specifically charged with developing minimum standards for training and other workplace protections. It makes no sense for Santa Clara County to create a duplicative and potentially conflicting restaurant training program before the Fast Food Council even has a chance to function.
As small and family-owned businesses, we’re proud to be a part of the fabric of our communities. Singling out local restaurants doesn’t impact billion-dollar corporations. It impacts us, Santa Clara County small business owners.
Not only do we provide a place for communities to gather and share a meal; we provide jobs and career training, pay taxes, support local charities, contribute to our economy, and invest in our neighborhoods. If we’re forced to cut back or close, the entire community stands to lose.
Simply put, this training proposal singles out our local restaurants – yet again – at a time when we and the County can least afford it.
For these reasons, we strongly urge you to REJECT the unnecessary and unfair restaurant training program.
Sincerely,