Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer
Thousands of workers in Portland will see a temporary increase in pay starting this weekend when a new ordinance goes into effect raising the minimum wage to $19.50 while the city remains under a state of emergency.
The hazard pay ordinance, approved by voters in a citizen-driven referendum in 2020, has drawn concern from some employers who worry about the cost as they continue to struggle through the pandemic. But frontline and essential workers say the hazard pay will provide some relief as they continue to go to work and risk exposure.
But the first test of the new provision – and the wage increase – could be short-lived. The City Council will decide Monday whether to repeal the emergency order, just two days after the wage provision takes effect.
Several councilors expressed support for keeping the order at their last meeting Dec. 20. But that may change now that keeping the order is no longer considered necessary for the city to adopt an indoor mask mandate, which is being considered as a separate ordinance.
Under the ordinance that takes effect Jan. 1, all workers who report to in-person workplaces in the city must be paid a hazard wage of at least 50 percent above the regular minimum wage whenever a state or city emergency is in place.
Mayor Kate Snyder, who has expressed support for removing the emergency order, said it had allowed the city to continue holding remote public meetings. But since the council...
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