By Yousef Baig, Sonoma Index-Tribune, July 19, 2019.
Thousands of workers on the lowest rung of Petaluma’s economic ladder will see higher wages starting next year after city officials this week agreed to accelerate a state plan to increase the minimum wage.
The city council voted unanimously Monday night to adopt a $15 per hour minimum wage starting Jan. 1 for large businesses (26 or more employees), and will then enact the rate citywide a year later in 2021. Smaller employers (25 or less employees) will be phased in starting with a $14 minimum in 2020.
Petaluma took the step as part of a regional effort to boost wages in every jurisdiction as the cost of living continues to skyrocket, undercutting the economic sustainability of the Bay Area.
In a joint effort with North Bay Jobs with Justice, or NBJJ, the regional offshoot of a national organization on the frontlines of the issue, Petaluma became the second municipality in Sonoma County to enact the increase ahead of the 2023 deadline state lawmakers agreed to in 2016.
“We really think this is a huge step forward for workers,” said Mara Ventura, NBJJ executive director.
The organization previously helped Sonoma pass a similar ordinance earlier this year. Santa Rosa, Cotati, Novato and Sebastopol are also exploring a wage hike.
According to city officials, roughly 9,000 Petaluma workers currently earn less than $15, and will be directly impacted once the ordinance is implemented.
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