January 1, West Hollywood now has the highest minimum wage in the country

West Hollywood, California, will soon provide the highest minimum wage in the country after the City Council voted to increase pay to $17.64 an hour.

The new wage takes effect in January for some workers and will gradually increase every six months until July 2023. The city’s wage will eventually surpass the state’s minimum, which is set to hit $15 by 2022 for businesses with more than 25 employees.

“Fewer than 10 percent of our jobs pay enough to live in the city,” Councilmember John D’Amico said. “I believe we are now righting the founding wrong of this city. Keeping West Hollywood workers in a position where they cannot be our neighbors and worse, they have to learn how to live without a reliable income, this has to finally no longer be acceptable.”

The council voted unanimously for the increase. The order also expands paid vacation, sick, and personal time for workers.

“[The] cost of living is rising everywhere — it’s getting more and more expensive to live, work and raise a family. Our minimum wage should reflect that reality,” Councilmember Lindsey P. Horvath said.

Source:

West Hollywood votes to set highest minimum wage in US