They need 'liveable and fair wages,' says senator
Democratic lawmakers in California have introduced legislation that would set a $25 minimum hourly pay for healthcare workers and support staffers in the state.
Authored by Senator María Elena Durazo, the legislation would provide a huge boost to the current rates.
California currently holds the highest statewide minimum wage in the United States with $14 an hour for employers with 25 or less employees and $15 an hour for employers with 26 or more employees.
However, there are certain Californian cities and counties who offer their own minimum wages such as Berkeley with a minimum wage of $16.32, San Francisco with $16.32 and San Jose with a minimum wage of $16.20. If the Californian city or county has a higher minimum wage than the state’s, then the employer must pay the higher minimum wage.
“Today, healthcare workers of all walks of life joined me to introduce SB 525, which raises the healthcare worker minimum wage to $25 for lowest paid workers,” said Durazo in a tweet. “We have a patient care crisis and a workforce shortage statewide. They need livable and fair wages.”
About 1.5 million California workers could get a wage hike come January 2024 Gov. Gavin Newsom signs it, reported the Los Angeles Times, citing a labor leader.
Before introducing the bill, Durazo said that healthcare workers remain underpaid even as they play a crucial role in the COVID-19 pandemic. And many who earn close to the state’s...
Host Jonathan Porter welcomes Husch Blackwell senior counsel Robert Hess to discuss a groundbreaking Ninth Circuit decision that expands False Claims Act exposure in the 340B drug pricing program. ...