One of the hottest topics sweeping the Silicon Valley is the desperate need to raise the minimum wage. We have seen a trend of local cities taking the issue head-on, especially as they see more of their community members working for wages that keep them below the poverty line. What started as one daring city, San José, taking the lead to do right by its workers has become a #RaiseTheWage Campaign that is motivating California cities, like Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Berkeley, Richmond, Oakland, San Diego and Los Angeles, to support their working families.
As of last night, the City of Santa Clara can be added to the list of local municipalities that have increased their minimum wage. The Council voted 5-1, with Councilmember Debi Davis casting the sole dissenting vote.
The ordinance, introduced by Councilmember Dominic Caserta, is the best we’ve seen yet, as it raises wages to $11 an hour, the highest in Santa Clara County. The new wage goes into effect on January 1, 2016 and will adjust annually based on the cost of living. Additionally, the City voiced its desire to join the Cities Association of Santa Clara County to find regional solutions to the minimum wage.
The Council chambers were full and lively yesterday, with community members, local leaders and elected officials, including Congressman Mike Honda, gathered to express their support for raising the minimum wage. The increase is another win for the Silicon Valley Rising campaign, launched last spring by the South Bay Labor Council and Working Partnerships USA to improve working conditions for South Bay families.
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$11 will not raise a single person out of poverty in Silicon Valley because the average rent for a studio apartment in a decent neighborhood is $3000. $2000 -2400 in the hood. Logically, by raising the minimum wage will only increase prices on goods and services and passed on to consumers so it seems like in the long run, the people making $11 will be paying higher prices too. So, really what’s the difference. Have any one of these elected officials gone to the grocery store lately? Notice that a gal. Of milk costs $5 now?