By Doug Porter
The full San Diego City Council is set to hear arguments over proposals increasing the minimum wage and allowing for up to five earned sick days. The measure being considered is Council President Todd Gloria’s attempt at comprise from an earlier proposal.
The specifics of the current plan are:
- $9.75 Jan 2015
- $10.50 Jan 2016
- $11.50 Jan 2017
- Indexed to inflation after Jan 2019
- 5 Earned Sick days
Advocates say earned sick days will impact 285,000 people, with wage increases affecting more than 170,000 people. They estimate an additional $265 million will be pumped into the local economy.
Yet to be decided is whether the council will simply enact an ordinance or put it before the voters in November.
Local business groups have made it clear that they’re opposed to any increase beyond those already mandated by the State of California. I’m betting the Chamber/Lincoln Club types will force the issue to be on the ballot either way; if the council passes an ordinance, get ready for an army of petitioners warning of economic collapse should workers actually get paid something close to what it takes to exist on in San Diego.
Raise Up San Diego and other groups supporting the measure are calling upon people to show up for the city council meeting, scheduled for Monday, July 14 at 6pm. They are also asking people to call or write their council persons in support of this proposal. For more information, visit the Raise Up San Diego Facebook event page.
The above is an excerpt from Doug Porter’s daily column at our sister online media partner, San Diego Free Press.
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