Vote Set on Increasing 'Living Wage' for Marin In-Home Health Workers

By Bay City News Service:

The Marin County Board of Supervisors is poised to approve a “living wage” increase to 1,500 in-home health care workers and 180 other county employees starting Jan. 1.

The 180 workers include library aides, library technology aides, seasonal firefighters and service workers.

Under the ordinance set for a public hearing and final vote Tuesday, workers with benefits who now earn $10.50 per hour will receive $11.40 an hour, and workers without benefits who now earn $12.10 an hour will get $13 an hour.

Employees of contractors and subcontractors who have more than $25,000 of annual business with the county also will receive the living wage.

The total fiscal impact to the county government is $1.1 million annually.

The pay rate for in-home supportive services workers will be the best in California, although Santa Clara County is anticipating a cost-of-living adjustment to $13 an hour in February 2015, Deputy County Administrator Daniel Ellerman said.