California Lawmakers Approve Bills to Raise Worker Pay
Sacramento, California – In a significant victory for labor unions, lawmakers in California have approved bills that would increase the wages of nearly 1 million fast-food and healthcare workers. The fate of these bills now lies in the hands of Governor Gavin Newsom.
The bill, signed into law by Governor Newsom on Friday, was authored by Senator Maria Elena Durazo and aims to secure a higher minimum wage that labor unions have been advocating for years. Under the new legislation, some workers will receive a pay increase to $25 an hour, although the pay raises vary based on factors such as the number of employees, the population served, and the services provided by the businesses.
The wage increases are set to go into effect starting June 1, according to the law. The Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West hailed the law as a historic achievement and noted that it is the first healthcare-specific mandate of its kind.
The union stated, “For all the dedicated healthcare workers who are struggling to pay bills and support themselves and their families, higher pay will make a huge difference in their lives. Raising wages means that workers who were considering leaving can stay and new workers will be attracted by the higher base pay.”
This development comes as Kaiser Permanente and unions representing thousands of employees reached a tentative agreement on pay raises and higher minimum wages. The proposed agreement includes a 21% wage increase over four years for existing workers, establishing a $25 minimum hourly wage for California workers, and $23 for employees in other parts of the nation.
The agreement covers 85,000 workers in multiple states, and a vote on the contract is set to begin on October 18. If ratified, the contract will be retroactively effective from October 1.
Meanwhile, it’s not just healthcare workers who are benefiting from wage hikes. Governor Newsom also signed a minimum wage increase for fast food workers on September 28. Starting from April 1, these workers will see their wages increase to $20 an hour, up from the current state average of $16.21.
In addition to approving bills to raise worker pay, Governor Newsom has also been active in signing various other measures into law. These include bills aimed at helping families find missing Black residents, bolstering LGBTQ+ rights, banning food additives, and raising taxes on gun sales. However, the governor has also vetoed several bills, including one that would have limited the price of insulin and another that sought to ensure parents’ affirmation of a child’s gender identity during custody and visitation arrangements.
The approval of these bills marks a significant step toward alleviating financial burdens for workers in California. With Governor Newsom’s support, the wage increases are poised to bring about positive changes in the lives of many workers across the state.