As ofJuly 1, 2023, the current living wageis $15.70per hour.
The living wage is adjusted annuallyon July 1 based on the prior calendar year’s Consumer Price Index. A citizen sponsored initiative to have a Living Wage was passed by voters in November, 1999.
Following passage, the City Council developed implementing language, adopted asCorvallis Municipal Code chapter 1.25. The basic concepts of the Living Wage are:
- The Living Wage was set at $9.00 per hour in wages or wages plus medical benefits, with an annual inflator tied to the Consumer Price Index.
- The Living Wage applies to most contracts for service that the City of Corvallis enters into that exceed $10,000 per year.
- The Living Wage applies to most employees of the contractor, with exceptions identified in section 1.25.050 of the Municipal Code (attached).
- Voluntary compliance is expected from all vendors, but a complaint process was developed to allow employees to seek an investigation by the City if they believed that they were entitled to earn the Living Wage but were not paid a Living Wage.
Employee Sign Notification
Employers are required to post information about the Living Wage in an area where employees may easily review the information.
Employee Sign notifications are available in Adobe PDF format below in both English and Spanish for the current Living Wage:
Living Wage Bid Certification
If a company successfully bids on a city contract, that firm will be required to sign a contract that states that it agree to comply with the Living Wage in the following manner (mark all that apply):
________ All employees who will work on the City's contract earn more than $15.70per hour in wages.
________ All employees who will work on the City's contract earn more than $15.70per hour in combined wages and medical benefits.
________ The bidding firm qualifies for an exception to the Living Wage ordinance (please specify)
As an expert in employment regulations and municipal policies, I have extensive knowledge and experience in understanding living wage structures, legislative processes, and implementation strategies. I can provide detailed insights into the concepts and principles highlighted in the provided article regarding the living wage ordinance in Corvallis.
The article delineates the framework of Corvallis' living wage ordinance, a concept born from a citizen-sponsored initiative passed in November 1999. This initiative was codified into law by the City Council through the Corvallis Municipal Code, specifically Chapter 1.25, detailing the guidelines for the living wage.
The fundamental components of the living wage ordinance in Corvallis are as follows:
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Adjustment and Determination: The living wage is subject to annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index from the preceding calendar year. As of July 1, 2023, the living wage stands at $15.70 per hour.
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Applicability: The living wage applies to most contracts for services that the City of Corvallis enters into, provided they exceed a threshold of $10,000 per year. It covers most employees of the contracted companies, with specific exceptions outlined in Section 1.25.050 of the Municipal Code.
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Wage Criteria: Initially set at $9.00 per hour, the living wage is inclusive of wages or wages plus medical benefits. This criterion helps ensure that employees receive fair compensation.
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Voluntary Compliance and Complaint Process: While voluntary compliance is expected from all vendors, a complaint mechanism exists for employees who believe they are entitled to the living wage but haven't received it. This process allows them to seek an investigation by the City.
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Employee Notifications: Employers are mandated to display information about the living wage in areas accessible to employees. Notification signage is available in both English and Spanish to ensure clarity and accessibility for all workers.
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Living Wage Bid Certification: Companies successfully securing city contracts must certify their compliance with the living wage ordinance. The certification includes options outlining that all employees working on the city's contract earn more than $15.70 per hour in wages, or combined wages and medical benefits. Additionally, it allows for exceptions to the ordinance under specific circ*mstances, which need to be clearly stated.
This living wage ordinance serves as a mechanism to ensure fair compensation and equitable treatment for workers engaged in contracts with the City of Corvallis, aligning with the broader goal of addressing income disparities and enhancing the economic well-being of employees within the community.
