Hotel Living Wage: San Jose vs Santa Clara

Who enforces the San Jose living wage?

The City of San Jose Office of Equality Assurance audits contractors, processes worker complaints, and orders back wages and liquidated damages under SJMC 4.100. They can also suspend or debar contractors who repeatedly underpay covered workers.

Do all airport employees get the living wage?

Most workers at Mineta SJC employed by airport tenants and concessionaires are covered, including baggage, food, retail, and ground service workers. Some narrowly defined exemptions exist; check the Office of Equality Assurance covered-employer list for current details.

How does the health benefit offset work?

Employers providing qualifying health insurance may pay a lower cash wage equal to the living wage minus the per-hour value of the benefit, set by Council resolution. Without qualifying coverage, employers must pay the full higher cash rate to comply.

Does SCC Living Wage cover all hotel workers?

No. The policy applies only to county service contractors, not hotel employment generally. Hotel workers rely on city minimum wages: San Jose $17.95, Sunnyvale $19.00, Mountain View $19.20, plus state floor in unincorporated areas.

How is SCC living wage updated?

The Board of Supervisors indexes the rate annually based on Bay Area Consumer Price Index changes. Current rates are published on the SCC Procurement Department website each July before the fiscal year begins.