South San Francisco Approves Minimum Wage Increase

From the City of South San Francisco:

October 25 2019

The City of South San Francisco Approves Minimum Wage Increase Effective January 1, 2020

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 25, 2019 - A new minimum wage ordinance has been passed by the South San Francisco City Council, directing that all workers in South San Francisco must be paid a minimum of $15 an hour starting on January 1, 2020. "As a City Council, we felt it was extremely important to raise our minimum wage," said South San Francisco Mayor Karyl Matsumoto. "It is important that we invest in our lower wage earners and in doing so, we can help to improve their quality of life."

In San Mateo County, the cities of San Mateo, Belmont, Menlo Park, and Redwood City have adopted similar Minimum Wage Ordinances. This change is a result of the pending state deadline of 2023 to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

What Does This Mean For Employers?

• Beginning January 1, 2020, employers who are subject to the City of South San Francisco Business License or who maintain a facility in the City of South San Francisco must pay each employee who performs at least two hours of work per week in the City of South San Francisco, minimum wages not less than $15.00 per hour. The minimum wage will be adjusted annually based on the National Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).

• Per California State regulation, an employee who is defined as a "learner" shall be paid no less than 85 percent of the applicable Minimum Wage for the first 160 hours of employment. After that, the learner shall be paid the applicable minimum wage.

• The City's ordinance does not count tips or gratuities as part of the minimum wage for employees. California law prohibits an employer from using an employee's tips and gratuities to discount their obligations to pay the minimum wage.

• The City's ordinance will apply to all businesses regardless of size and type of business.

This press release was produced by the City of South San Francisco . The views expressed here are the author’s own.