Well-Financed Food Foes Bankroll NYC’s Shamtastic ‘Responsible Restaurant Act’
When a proposed law is so far afield that even New York City’s notorious, all-powerful Department of Public Health & Mental Hygiene finds it screwy, you know the bill’s backers are a prize and some peanuts short of a box of Cracker Jacks. Such is the case with the Responsible Restaurant Act, which would make city health officials responsible for settling labor disputes.
“Studies have shown, restaurants that are in violation of these employment laws, do have health issues involved,” said Responsible Restaurant Act supporter Joy Carlos. “So not only are the employees involved in this, but you as the customer is affected, as well”.
“So many workers are forced to work when they are sick, while preparing and serving food to the public,” said Cecilia, a restaurant worker who only gave her first name.
Opponents say the bill is vague and call it a direct attack on any establishment that holds a health department license, like cafeterias, hotels and night clubs.
This is why we find the city health department on the side of good this time–opposing the measure alongside the state restaurant association. Thankfully.
The RRA effort is bankrolled by a group known as the Brennan Center Strategic Fund, which is no doubt made up of concerned restaurant employees. April Fool’s! The RRA is real, but proponents consist of well-heeled lobbyists and a collection of poor, downtrodden folks at NYU law school. NYU, incidentally, is also home to tiresome food cop Marion Nestle.
