Living Wage: San Francisco Approves Living Wage Law

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a plan to raise the minimum wage to $9 an hour for about 21,000 workers employed by private employers with city contracts and non-profit agencies that provide the city with social services. The proposal, which was supported by San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, includes a hike to $10 an hour in 2001 and annual raises of 2.5% for three years after that. The measure will take effect 30 days after the mayor signs it, which should happen in the next two weeks. A second phase of the plan, which would require employers dealing with the city to provide some form of health insurance coverage, is expected to be proposed in a few months. We’ll keep you posted.