The Times podcast: California’s ballot-box fast-food fight

A car in front of a McDonald's.

By Nicolas Perez

and Denise Guerra

March 8, 2023 5 AM PT

Listen to this episode of The Times:

Last year, the California Legislature approved a bill that aimed to improve wages and conditions for fast-food workers, but the fast-food industry raised millions to oppose it. As petitioners collect signatures, voters allege that they were lied to by petitioners.

Today, we get into the food fight — and California’s murky world of signature gathering. Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times reporter Suhauna Hussain

More reading:

‘I feel duped’: Inside the fast-food industry’s push to dismantle a new California labor law

UC Riverside should investigate ‘phony’ economics research center, faculty say

Column: The fast-food industry gears up to kill another pro-worker state law

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About The Times

“The Times” is produced by Denise Guerra, Kasia Broussalian, David Toledo and Ashlea Brown. Our editorial assistants are Roberto Reyes and Nicolas Perez. Our engineers are Mario Diaz, Mark Nieto and Mike Heflin. Our fellow is Helen Li. Our editor is Kinsee Morlan. Our executive producers are Jazmin Aguilera, Heba Elorbany and Shani Hilton. And our theme music is by Andrew Eapen.

Podcasts Business Food California Politics The Times Podcast California Politics

Nicolas Perez is a former editorial assistant for the Los Angeles Times.

Former Los Angeles Times staffer Denise Guerra was a senior producer and co-creator of the news podcast “The Times.” Guerra graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from UCLA and a master’s in journalism from USC. She previously was a community liaison with the city of Los Angeles on transportation, housing and bridge projects. Guerra also has worked at Marketplace, KPCC and NPR, where she helped launch the Saturday edition of the “Up First” podcast and produced music segments, covered BLM protests at the White House and filed this story to find out how her grandfather ended up in San Quentin prison. Born and raised in California, you can find her surfing, hiking or snowboarding.

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