Some paychecks in Mountain View are about to get a bit fatter as the city’s new minimum wage of $15 an hour goes into effect Monday.
The City Council two years ago adopted an ordinance that increases the minimum wages in phases, from $10.30 in 2015 to $11 in 2016, $13 in 2017 and now $15.
It affects employers who are subject to the city’s business license tax or maintain a facility in Mountain View. They must pay at least the minimum wage to each employee who works two or more hours a week in Mountain View, according to city documents.
The council’s 5-2 decision on Oct. 27, 2015 followed a lengthy discussion and numerous comments from the public, including restaurateurs who said they would be hurt if forced to pay higher minimums. Mayor John McAlister and Councilman John Inks opposed the pay hike.
Council members expressed some concern that the move would put the city at a competitive disadvantage. However, Sunnyvale’s minimum wage also will hit $15 on Monday, and San Jose’s is scheduled to reach $15 in 2019.
The move to raise the minimum wage is viewed by some as a way to deal with economic disparity.
“This is a piece of a puzzle where we’re trying to solve a lot of socioeconomic issues,” Councilman Chris Clark said in 2015. “We’re trying to address housing, wages, the whole gamut, as best we can.”
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2019, the minimum wage will be adjusted annually based on the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose regional Consumer Price Index.
