As the calendar page turns to July, small and micro businesses in the City of Saint Paul are gearing up for the annual wage increment that takes its effect starting today. According to an announcement by the city's officials, small businesses with a workforce ranging from 6 to 100 employees are seeing a minimum wage hike to $15.00 per hour, while their tinier counterparts, micro businesses with 5 or fewer workers, must now pay at least $13.25 per hour, marking a continued effort towards economic equity and a living wage.
Meanwhile, for larger-scale businesses employing over 101 individuals, the minimum wage remains locked at $15.97, as does the rate for those employed by the city itself, and this careful stratification echoes the city's commitment to address the needs and capacities of businesses of varying sizes, all people working full-time, part-time, temporarily, or in a job-sharing arrangement fall under the umbrella of this wage hike a move that underscores the inclusivity of Saint Paul's labor policies.
The origins of this incremental wage policy date back to November 14, 2018, when Saint Paul's Mayor Melvin Carter, supported unanimously by the City Council, penned into law the Minimum Wage Ordinance. The ordinance's rollout includes schedules that cater to the city's diverse business landscape and aims to offer a fair wage to all Saint Paul's working residents.
In the realm of compliance and enforcement, notably, the Labor Standards Division of the Saint Paul Department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity has been active and engaged, since January this current year, the division has claimed a successful closure of 25 cases, has negotiated north of $90,000 in back pay, and recovered an impressive 1,232 hours owed to workers under the Earned Sick and Safe Time guidelines, demonstrating both the city's proactive stance on workers' rights and the effectiveness of their enforcement strategies.
For those seeking clarity or facing issues related to minimum wage, the Labor Standards Division extends an open invitation to both employers and employees to engage with their investigators. Queries and concerns can be funneled through a direct line at 651-266-8966, or via email to [email protected], or those in need can step right into the HREEO Office at Saint Paul City Hall for in-person consultations, which is yet another testament to the city's hands-on approach in supporting its workforce and business community alike.
