San Diego became the largest city in the U.S. to pass an Equal Pay Ordinance, requiring city contractors to provide equal pay to its workers regardless of gender identity or ethnicity.
The law will require contractors to certify equal pay as part of entering into a city contract, allow City access to records when requested, to confirm equal pay, and post equal pay notifications in the workplace. The ordinance also provides equal pay across “similar work” rather than just across titles.
“The message is simple: equal pay for equal work. Time and time again, San Diego has demonstrated that we are an inclusive city and that we value the hard work of our residents,” Assemblymember Todd Gloria said before the vote took place. “Today, we have an opportunity to reinforce that commitment, achieve pay equity, and ensure that economic opportunity is equally available regardless of gender or ethnicity. I urge the San Diego City Council to adopt this ordinance and for the Mayor to sign it into law.”