L. A. County weighs $15 minimum wage for some

Following the lead of the city of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a trio of motions that will incrementally raise the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour by 2020. Then, beginning in 2022, the wage would be increased annually based on inflation, according to the proposal. “At the same time, we recognize that the state’s lowest wage workers will not earn the full $10.10 until more than three years from now and that tipped workers will not benefit from this increase because legislators permanently froze their wages at $3.63 per hour”. Employers having 500 employees or fewer would have four years to transition, while those with more than 500 employees would have to comply by 2017.

The proposal was discussed in June, however, officials postponed a vote due to concerns the L.A. County Economic Development Corporation reported.

The supervisors will also consider mechanisms to enforce such wage violations as failure to pay overtime or give workers rest breaks. “Raising the minimum wage will not only help my family’s budget, but might even allow us to set aside for our future and the future of our children – so they can have better lives”.

Irvine, which is an affluent suburb about 40 miles south of Los Angeles, passed its living wage ordinance in 2007.

He also suggested that some large businesses – such as Magic Mountain theme park – could be annexed into other cities to avoid paying the higher wages, costing the county tax dollars.

Councilor Edward Suslovic proposed including a modified version of the minimum wage proposal being considered by the council, but it failed to generate support.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti urged the board Tuesday to raise wages. In a survey conducted earlier this summer, 78 percent of the 500 fast food restaurant owners surveyed said that a $15 minimum wage would force them to lay off workers or cut back on hours or staffing levels.

Raise the Wage is a coalition of business, labor and community leaders working to raise the minimum wage to $15.25, with enforcement provisions and earned sick leave, to bring thousands of Angelenos out of poverty.

Greg Dugal, executive director of the Maine Restaurant and Innkeepers Association, said the livable wage would cause “serious issues” for city businesses, which would have the highest minimum wage east of the Mississippi River.

Wages will be a big topic of debate during today’s meeting of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Paolo Cannella, owner of Original Italian Pizza in Watertown, agreed, noting that if employee wages go up to $15 per hour, food prices will rise significantly to compensate. This is an issue that polls very high – a vast majority of New Yorkers are in favor of seeing a statewide hourly wage increase (though perhaps not to as high as $15) – and next year is a key election cycle for the Senate Republicans.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered the fast-food wage panel’s formation last May to make recommendations to the state’s labor commissioner, who would have to approve any increase and other details. “I’m looking to move operations outside of the area impacted by your decision”, Wiseman said.

“We urge that their recommendation does not … stifle local entrepreneurs whose companies are creating good jobs, sourcing local New York products and looking to sustain and grow their companies”, Rigie added.

The city of Santa Clarita City Council is not now considering a minimum wage increase, said city of Santa Clarita Spokeswoman Gail Morgan.