MINIMUM WAGE RISES TO $10.50 FOR MANY EMPLOYERS IN CALIFORNIA

By Miriam Raftery

January 1, 2017 (San Diego) -- As of January 1^st, the minimum wage in California has gone up to $10.50 an hour for all businesses with more than 25 employees.  Employers with fewer employees will have an extra year, until 2018, to comply.

In the city of San Diego, workers got an even bigger wage hike to a minimum of $11.50 an hour.  The city’s ordinance applies to all businesses, regardless of size. The ordinance does not affect other areas of the County outside the city limits.

The raises put some extra holiday jingle in the pockets of minimum wage workers, but some employers face added economic challenges due to their rising costs.

The Union-Tribune reports that some major restaurants in San Diego County are responding by adding a surcharge of about 3% onto dining customers’ bills, rather than raise praises on meals or eliminate tipping, both unpopular options with restaurant patrons.

Both the city and state minimum wages will continue to gradually rise, up to a maximum of $15 an hour statewide by 2022.