San Jose fast-food workers grill city leaders, demand to pass policy for expanded rights

Dozens of fast-food workers flooded the San Jose City Council chambers on this week, demanding their representatives pass a policy to expand workers rights.

Workers asked councilmembers to include a rule that enables fast-food workers in the city to accrue paid time off and get a paid day for an annual training that educates workers on their rights and benefits, as part of the city’s upcoming budget. The hope was that by securing dollars in the budget, it would ensure a policy is drafted and passed. The council did not include the workers’ request in the Tuesday budget discussion.