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For Immediate Release
August 6, 2002
OAKLAND, Calif - Today, the Port of Oakland's
Board of Port Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to
apply the Living Wage Charter Amendment (§728 - Measure I)
passed by voters in March to airport and seaport month-to-month
tenants. The approval means that the Port's Executive Director will
be authorized and directed to apply the Living Wage Standards to
all month-to-month tenancies currently in effect, as well as month-to
month tenancies in holdover status.
"After carefully reviewing the living Wage Charter Amendment,
it has become clear that the spirit of the law strongly indicates
the need to take this step," said Port Board President Frank
Kiang. "This policy decision will not settle all of the controversies
regarding the law’s interpretation, but it will extend the
benefits of the law to a wider group of people working at the
airport," Kiang added.
Today's action serves as the direction to staff to terminate
month-to-month tenancies and renew those agreements with the application
of the Living Wage Charter Amendment. Car rental companies at
Oakland International Airport will be affected by the Port's resolution.
"This resolution does not create new law. Instead, it implements
the clear intention of Measure I by applying the living wage to
employees of Port Aviation and Maritime month-to-month tenants,"
stated the Port's Social Responsibility Division Director Bernida
Reagan.
The living wage rate is now $10.87 without credit for health
benefits and at least $9.45 with credit for health benefits.
On March 5, 2002, the voters in the City of Oakland passed Measure
I, adding to the City Charter Section 728 (§728) entitled
“Living Wage and Labor Standards at Port-assisted Businesses.”
§728 requires Port Aviation and Maritime businesses that
meet specified minimum threshold requirements to pay all non-exempt
employees a Living Wage rate established by City Ordinance and
adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index for the San
Francisco, Oakland and San Jose area. The California Secretary
of State accepted and filed §728 on April 25, 2002, making
§728 effective for contracts entered into after that date
(i.e., contracts entered into on April 26, 2002 or thereafter).
Covered employers are responsible for complying with the provisions
of §728 from the date the covered contract is entered into.
Contact:
Marilyn Sandifur
Media and Public Relations Manager
(510) 627-1193
msandifur@portoakland.com Alternate Contact:
Midori Tabata
Communications Assistant
(510) 627-1187
mtabata@portoakland.com |
