The mayor of Columbus, Ohio, Andrew Ginther, has confirmed an increase to the city’s minimum wage, ensuring that all permanent, full-time employees will now receive at least $15 (£11.67) an hour.
As of January 1 2019, the minimum wage in Ohio is currently set at $8.55 (£6.65) per hour for non-tipped workers and $4.30 (£3.34), if the tip amount makes up the difference, for tipped workers.
Ginther said: “Closing the wage gap has been a top priority for my administration. As one of the city’s biggest employers, I knew Columbus had an opportunity to lead by example.
“I charged my directors with being sure that all full-time, permanent employees were making $15 an hour by 2020 and [now], we can say we have accomplished that goal ahead of schedule.”
The new minimum salary was announced on 16 October 2019 and is set to benefit 8,498 staff working in Columbus.
Elizabeth Brown, president pro tempore at the City Council, added: “Working families are the backbone of strong neighbourhoods and a thriving city.
“Levelling the playing field for families in Columbus starts with living wages, and one of our goals as an employer must be to set a standard for wages and benefits that help families thrive. I’m proud to see the city beat its commitment to bringing all full-time [employees] to $15 [an] hour by 2020.”
Rob Dorans, member at the City Council, said: “The work to lift wages in our community is central towards creating a more equitable Columbus. Organised labour is a key partner in making this happen with our city’s own workforce and within our community.”