Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
California Health Care Workers Get a Pay Bump Under a New Minimum Wage Law
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 2 weeks ago on
October 16, 2024

New California law boosts wages for 350,000 health care workers, with gradual increases to $25 per hour over the next decade. (AP File)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

SACRAMENTO — Some of the lowest-paid health care workers in California will get a pay bump Wednesday under a state law gradually increasing their wages to at least $25 an hour.

Workers at rural, independent health care facilities will start making a minimum of $18 an hour, while others at hospitals with at least 10,000 full-time employees will begin getting paid at least $23 an hour this week. The law will increase workers’ pay over the next decade, with the $25 hourly rate kicking in sooner for some than others.

About 350,000 workers will have to be paid more under the law starting Wednesday, according to the University of California, Berkeley Labor Center.

Delayed Implementation Due to Budget Shortfall

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the law last year, and workers were slated to get raises in June. Lawmakers and the governor agreed this year to delay the law to help close an estimated $46.8 billion budget shortfall.

Carmela Coyle, president and CEO of the California Hospital Association, said last year that the legislation will support workers and protect access to health care services.

“SB 525 strikes the right balance between significantly improving wages while protecting jobs and safeguarding care at community hospitals throughout the state,” she said in a statement.

California’s Minimum Wage Landscape

California’s minimum wage for most workers in the state is $16 an hour. Voters will decide in November whether to increase the rate gradually to $18 an hour by 2026, which would be the highest statewide minimum wage in the U.S. Fast food workers in California now have to be paid at least $20 hourly under a law Newsom signed last year.

Some health care providers raised concerns when the law was passed last year that it would pose a financial burden on hospitals as they tried to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The law could lead providers to cut hours and jobs, critics said.

Many hospitals in the state have already begun implementing wage increases under the law’s original timeline, said Sarah Bridge, vice president of advocacy and strategy with the Association of California Healthcare Districts.

“It obviously does create financial pressures that weren’t there before,” Bridge said of the law. “But our members are all poised and ready to enact the change.”

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

From Blue Cheese to Bacon: Peanut Butter Pairings That Will Shock You

DON'T MISS

Challengers Seek Seats on Tulare County Irrigation District Boards

DON'T MISS

Shy Pup Finds Hope with Foster Family, Evasion from Euthanasia

DON'T MISS

Does Dill Have Magical Powers? What People Once Believed Food Could Do

DON'T MISS

Let’s Keep Innovative Partnerships Crucial to Combating Climate Change: Fresno Dairy Manager

DON'T MISS

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

DON'T MISS

Two-Time Cy Young Winner Blake Snell Opts Out of Contract with Giants

DON'T MISS

No Matter the Outcome, We Are the True Losers of This Election

DON'T MISS

Russia’s Swift March Forward in Ukraine’s East

DON'T MISS

Rapper Young Thug Is a Free Man. Here Are Things to Know About His Plea.

UP NEXT

Challengers Seek Seats on Tulare County Irrigation District Boards

UP NEXT

Shy Pup Finds Hope with Foster Family, Evasion from Euthanasia

UP NEXT

Does Dill Have Magical Powers? What People Once Believed Food Could Do

UP NEXT

Let’s Keep Innovative Partnerships Crucial to Combating Climate Change: Fresno Dairy Manager

UP NEXT

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

UP NEXT

Two-Time Cy Young Winner Blake Snell Opts Out of Contract with Giants

UP NEXT

No Matter the Outcome, We Are the True Losers of This Election

UP NEXT

Russia’s Swift March Forward in Ukraine’s East

UP NEXT

Rapper Young Thug Is a Free Man. Here Are Things to Know About His Plea.

UP NEXT

AMOR Wellness Trunk-or-Treat Brings 700 Mendota Residents Together for Halloween Fun

Does Dill Have Magical Powers? What People Once Believed Food Could Do

13 hours ago

Let’s Keep Innovative Partnerships Crucial to Combating Climate Change: Fresno Dairy Manager

15 hours ago

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

1 day ago

Two-Time Cy Young Winner Blake Snell Opts Out of Contract with Giants

1 day ago

No Matter the Outcome, We Are the True Losers of This Election

1 day ago

Russia’s Swift March Forward in Ukraine’s East

1 day ago

Rapper Young Thug Is a Free Man. Here Are Things to Know About His Plea.

1 day ago

AMOR Wellness Trunk-or-Treat Brings 700 Mendota Residents Together for Halloween Fun

1 day ago

What Kind of Trouble Is Miguel Arias Trying to Stir Up This Time?

1 day ago

MrBeast Probe Ends With Some Employees Fired but Finds No Proof of Sexual Misconduct Allegations

1 day ago

From Blue Cheese to Bacon: Peanut Butter Pairings That Will Shock You

Peanut butter is a childhood staple for many in the United States. Whether it’s a classic PB&J sandwich, a fluffernutter, cookies ...

12 hours ago

12 hours ago

From Blue Cheese to Bacon: Peanut Butter Pairings That Will Shock You

12 hours ago

Challengers Seek Seats on Tulare County Irrigation District Boards

13 hours ago

Shy Pup Finds Hope with Foster Family, Evasion from Euthanasia

13 hours ago

Does Dill Have Magical Powers? What People Once Believed Food Could Do

15 hours ago

Let’s Keep Innovative Partnerships Crucial to Combating Climate Change: Fresno Dairy Manager

1 day ago

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

1 day ago

Two-Time Cy Young Winner Blake Snell Opts Out of Contract with Giants

1 day ago

No Matter the Outcome, We Are the True Losers of This Election

Search

Send this to a friend