06.08.2016

NEW YORK – Yesterday, voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition I to raise the minimum wage and provide earned sick days to all workers in the city of San Diego. With 100% of election day votes counted, Proposition I is expected to pass by more than 63%. Proposition I establishes the first local minimum wage that's above the state level.

This victory comes as the result of a two-year organizing effort by Raise Up San Diego, a broad coalition of economic justice, environmental, faith, reproductive rights, immigration, LGBT, veterans, business, social service and labor organizations led by the Center on Policy Initiatives (CPI) and the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council.

Proposition I will take effect immediately, raising the minimum wage for all jobs in the City of San Diego to $10.50 as soon as today's election is certified, and then to $11.50 on January 1st, 2017. In the future, San Diego’s minimum wage will be indexed to inflation. The chart below outlines projected wage increases for local workers over the next five years.

Despite opposition from the Chamber of Commerce, many owners of San Diego businesses, both large and small, also supported Proposition I, including Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs (who signed the Ballot Argument) and former Chamber of Commerce President Mel Katz.

JoEllen Chernow, Director of Economic Justice at Center for Popular Democracy, released the following statement:

"Those who put in an honest day's work should earn enough to provide for their families. By providing a living wage and paid sick days to thousands around San Diego, Prop 1 gives a boost to working families and will help support the city's economy. It demonstrates the power of organizing and the momentum of a movement that has improved the quality of life for millions across the country. History is on our side and we will continue to fight to give all workers a chance to earn a living with dignity."

Clare Crawford, Executive Director of the Center on Policy Initiatives (CPI), also released a statement:

“Voters have spoken: No one who works full-time should live in poverty. Prop I will immediately improve the lives of San Diego families who work hard and are not paid enough to make ends meet. One of every four people employed in San Diego will get a raise, and 95% of those who will benefit are 20 or older. A third are raising children. Many are veterans. Over half are women.”

Dale Kelly Bankhead, secretary-treasurer of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO, also released a statement:

“The passage of Prop I proves that when working people stand together, we win for our families and for a stronger economy. More than 170,000 hard-working janitors, teacher aides, EMTs and other low wage workers can go to work tomorrow knowing that they can count on a raise of up to $260/month in their paychecks. For many, that means being able to pay the rent and the light bill in the same month.”

Paola Martinez, Director of the Alliance of Californians for Community Engagement, also released a statement:

“Together, the coalition has had tens of thousands of conversations with voters in every corner of the city over the last two years. The results of tonight’s election demonstrate that most San Diegans agree that if you work hard, you should be able to afford basic living expenses.”

San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria, who first proposed increasing the minimum wage when he was Interim Mayor and then led the City Council in passing the increase, also released a statement:

“Today's results affirm the decision of the San Diego City Council to raise wages for hard-working San Diegans. Over 170,000 local workers will benefit from the increase, which will help them pay the rent, put food on the table and not miss a day's pay when they get sick. San Diego voters have agreed that this is the right thing to do and I am proud of our coalition for fighting for this historic victory for San Diego's working families.”

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www.populardemocracy.org

The Center for Popular Democracy promotes equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. CPD builds the strength and capacity of democratic organizations to envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial justice agenda.

Contact: 

Asya Pikovsky, apikovsky@populardemocracy.org, 207-522-2442

Anita Jain, ajain@populardemocracy.org, 347-636-9761