San Diego’s Fil-Am mayor ushers city’s minimum wage hike to $15 an hour

MAYOR Mayor Todd Gloria authored the City’s Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance, which originally set the path toward $15-per-hour when he was a councilor. SCREENSHOT CBS8

SAN DIEGO, California  – Fil-Am Mayor Todd Gloria, local leaders and workers hailed the city’s minimum wage rise to $15 an hour effective Jan. 1, 2022.

Gloria authored the City’s Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance, which originally set the path toward $15-per-hour when he was a councilor.

“I have long believed that no one who works full time should have to live in poverty, and this increase in our minimum wage is the next step in getting us there,” Gloria said.

“Finally getting the minimum wage in San Diego to $15 fulfills a longtime goal and will make a difference in the lives of thousands of working families in our city. I’m grateful to everyone who has been involved in bringing this significant milestone to fruition,” he added.

The minimum wage increase applies to all industries and businesses, with no exceptions, and tips and gratuities do not count toward payment of minimum wage. Updated notices are available on the city’s Minimum Wage Program website and must be posted in a conspicuous place at any workplace or job site.

Minimum wage in the rest of California is also increasing on Jan. 1, 2022, to $14 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees and $15 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees. On Jan. 1 2023, the minimum wage for employers with 25 or fewer employees also raises to $15 per hour.

“The minimum wage in California will be $15 on January 1st, 2022 because working people came together to fight for it,” said Dr. Kyra Greene, Executive Director and Board President of the Center on Policy Initiatives. “

Anyone who believes an employer is violating the ordinance is encouraged to file a complaint in writing with the City’s Minimum Wage Program.

“For essential workers, immigrant women like myself, communities of color and everyone struggling right now, we must have a decent wage,” said Miriam Torres, Member of SEIU United Service Workers West. “Fifteen dollars is a critical step toward helping our city recover from the pandemic and making our economy work for everyone.”

“Hotel, hospitality and service workers are the backbone of our tourism industry, and they’re also among the hardest hit by the pandemic,” said Rick Bates, Lead Research and Policy Analyst at UNITE HERE Local 30. “The minimum wage increase will be a critical step in the right direction as we strive for an inclusive economic recovery here in San Diego.”