The Living Wage Ordinance sets a minimum wage contractors are required to pay employees providing services under County contracts. The living wage was originally a pilot program, beginning January 1, 2017, and ending on June 30, 2022. As of July 1, 2022, the Board of Supervisors established a permanent living wage requirement for contracts issued by San Mateo County.
Background
In December 2015, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors held a study session on living wage ordinances, and appointed Supervisors Carole Groom and Dave Pine to an LWO Subcommittee. To research living wage impacts and options, the LWO Subcommittee convened a workgroup that included 12 non-profit County contractors, one for-profit contractor, and a representative of the San Mateo Labor Council. Based on input from these meetings, the LWO Subcommittee recommended adoption of a five-year living wage pilot program, beginning January 1, 2017, and ending June 30, 2022. As of July 1, 2022 the Board of Supervisors established a permanent living wage requirement for contracts issued by San Mateo County.
SMC’s LWO Schedule |
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---|---|---|
EFFECTIVE DATE |
COUNTY LWO WAGE |
ANNUAL INCREASE OVER EXISTING WAGE RATE |
January 1 / April 1, 2017 |
$14.00 |
$3.50 |
July 1, 2017 |
$15.00 |
$1.00 |
July 1, 2018 |
$16.00 |
$1.00 |
July 1, 2019 |
$17.00 |
$1.00 |
July 1, 2020 |
$17.19 |
$0.19 |
July 1, 2021 |
$17.79 |
$0.60 |
July 1, 2022 | $18.61 |
$0.82 |
July 1, 2023 | $19.26 | $0.65 |
July 1, 2024 | $19.93 | $0.67 |
The LWO Covers…
Contracts and Contractors
- All contracts for services entered into with the County on or after April 1, 2017.
- When a contractor has more than one contract with the County, only those contracts that are covered contracts are subject to the ordinance.
- Nonprofit contracts that are funded 50% or less by the County are not required to comply with the LWO.
- Employees
- All employees, both part-time and full-time, working for a covered contractor. See the LWO for exclusions, link below.