Minimum Wage Increase Coming Soon to Alameda, CA

On October 2, 2018, the Alameda City Council passed a new Minimum Wage Ordinance calling for stepped minimum wage increases to $15.00 per hour. The new Minimum Wage notice is now available and must be posted in the top 5 languages spoken by residents of the city, as determined by the City Manager. These languages are currently English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Details of Alameda’s Minimum Wage Ordinance

Minimum Wage Rates

On July 1, 2019, the City of Alameda’s minimum wage will increase to $13.50 per hour. However, employers should note that they are still required to pay their employees the state wage of $12.00 (if they have 26 or more employees) or $11.00 (if they have 25 or fewer employees) through June 30, 2019.

On July 1, 2020, Alameda’s minimum wage will increase to $15.00 per hour, but there will be no increase in 2021. Beginning July 1, 2022, and every July 1 thereafter, the city’s minimum wage will be subject to an annual Consumer Price Index adjustment, with a cap of up to 5% per year.

Alameda’s minimum wage requirements apply to all employees who perform at least 2 hours of work in a particular workweek within the geographic boundaries of the city. Unlike the current California state law, the new and future minimum wage rates apply equally to all employees, regardless of the size of an employer’s business.

Minimum Wage Rights

Alameda’s Minimum Wage notice states that under the Minimum Wage Ordinance, employees who assert their rights to receive the city’s minimum wage are protected from retaliation by their employers.

As such, employees may file a civil lawsuit against their employer for any violation of the ordinance, or they may choose to file a complaint with the Alameda Community Development Department. The city is responsible for investigating possible violations and enforcing the requirements of the ordinance by reinstating employees, paying back wages that were unlawfully withheld, and imposing penalties on employers as appropriate.

Those who have questions about the minimum wage or need additional information are encouraged to visit the city’s minimum wage website (https://alamedaca.gov/minimumwage) or contact the City of Alameda’s Community Development Department by phone (510-747-6897).

We Can Keep You in Compliance

If you order our City/County Poster 1-Year Plan, you will automatically receive the new Alameda poster as soon as it is available. And because we provide free poster updates for mandatory changes, no matter how many occur during the 12-month period, you can always count on Poster Compliance Center to keep your business in compliance!