President Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Labor, Julie Su, poses a threat to the franchising sector in West Virginia.
Total put at risk by Julie Su in West Virginia:
- 3,640 franchise establishments
- 39,281 franchise employees
- $3.887 billion in economic output from franchises
Su, who was previously the head of California’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency, aggressively supported A.B. 257, the “FAST Recovery Act.” The bill would grant California’s government vast new power to regulate wages and company policies at franchised restaurants. Californian voters made clear their opposition to the radical overhaul last year, with over one million voters signing a petition proposing a ballot referendum which could overturn the new law.
Su has also been a participant in the Biden administration’s broader attacks on franchising. Shortly after Su became U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor, DOL announced a revocation of Trump-era protections under the joint employer standard, further threatening the viability of the franchise model.
In total, Julie Su threatens 3,640 establishments; 39,281 employees; and $3.887 billion in financial output in West Virginia’s franchising sector.*
Last week, eight small business associations in West Virginia also sent a letter to Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), asking them to oppose the nomination of Julie Su.
*Data obtained from the FRANdata 2023 Franchising Economic Outlook.