Wednesday 31 August 2022 09:49 PM McDonald's US boss slams California plan to raise fast food wages to $22 an hour trends now

The head of McDonald's US operations has publicly slammed a proposed California law that could force large fast food chains to pay workers up to $22 an hour, saying the plan 'should raise alarm bells across the country.'

McDonald's USA President Joe Erlinger spoke out in an open letter on Wednesday, arguing that California's plan is unfairly designed and will raise costs further for consumers.

He was responding to a bill that could set wages at fast-food chains with more than 100 restaurants at $22 an hour next year, well above the existing statewide minimum of $15.50 an hour for all other jobs. 

'This lopsided, hypocritical and ill-considered legislation hurts everyone,' wrote Erlinger, pointing out that a McDonald's franchisee who owns one location would be subject to the new wage requirement, while a company with 20 locations would be exempt.

Erlinger argued that the plan would raise costs for consumers at a time when inflation is already running high, citing estimates that the cost of eating fast food would rise 20 percent in California if the bill becomes law.

The California bill, AB 257, passed the state legislature on Monday and now needs only Governor Gavin Newsom's signature to become law.

A spokesperson for Newsom told DailyMail.com that his office does not typically comment on pending legislation, adding: 'The bill will be evaluated on its merits when it reaches the Governor's desk.' 

The bill would create a new 10-member Fast Food Council with equal numbers of delegates representing workers and employers, along with two state officials, empowered

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