Jane Castor announces $15 minimum wage for city employees
Jane Castor remains popular, and could easily win re-election if the ballot were held today.

castor
The pay increase begins Oct. 1.

Beginning Oct. 1, all new and full-time employees working for the city of Tampa will earn at least $15 an hour. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced the wage policy Wednesday in a press conference where the theme was doing the right thing.

“We have a rapidly growing city, and that growth comes with a great deal of responsibility, and we have got to lead by example,” Castor said. “If we aren’t ourselves paying that living wage, how can we encourage others around us to do so?”

Progressives nationwide have been calling for a mandatory $15 minimum wage. Castor has no control over private-sector wages. Setting a statewide minimum wage falls on the Florida legislature. But she can create city policy that ensures her own employees are earning a living wage.

The group Florida for a Fair Wage, backed by attorney John Morgan, is trying to get an amendment on the 2020 ballot in Florida to institute a $15 minimum wage, beginning with $10 an hour and rising $1 every year until it reaches $15 in 2026. Polls show support statewide for the amendment.

Castor said the move was the product of continuing conversations with city staff and union leaders that began as soon as she took office in January. She said it falls under one of her five administrative priorities and falls under the purview of sustainability and resiliency.

“Resiliency has a lot broader definition than just the environment,” she said. “It talks about our economy and also the quality of life in our city today. One of our greatest challenges in developing keeping and attracting talent to our area [is] that our wages are often lower than those municipalities right around us and throughout the state.”

That, she said, needs to change.

“The collaborations, connections and collective partnerships will create a network that will uplift Tampa’s growing need for a talented workforce for decades to come,” Castor said.

The policy change will affect about 50 employees, a fraction of the city’s total 4,500 person workforce. Castor said the city hadn’t conducted a complete look at long-term projections of the new policy as the city hires new workers, but said the increased wages would cost about $70,000 annually.

The policy change will mostly affect low-level employees in service positions — those who need the financial boost the most, Castor said.

As of her announcement Wednesday morning, Castor’s administration had not yet announced the wage increases to employees. But she said she hoped the news was received with “lots of hugs and kisses.”

While Castor said she hopes private sector employers will be inspired to follow suit, she also acknowledged some businesses might not yet be able to make the move.

“[But] if you’re in the financial position, it’s the right thing to do,” she said,

Castor said she hopes the increased wages will allow lower-level city employees to enjoy a better quality of life as they receive relief from what has been stagnant wages amid the rising cost of living.

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Janelle Irwin Taylor has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in Tampa Bay since 2003. Most recently, Janelle reported for the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She formerly served as senior reporter for WMNF News. Janelle has a lust for politics and policy. When she’s not bringing you the day’s news, you might find Janelle enjoying nature with her husband, children and two dogs. You can reach Janelle at [email protected].


3 comments

  • gary

    August 28, 2019 at 12:17 pm

    Your taxes just went up in Tampa you idiots! Vote for stupid, win stupid prizes!

  • Andy

    August 28, 2019 at 12:32 pm

    Bravo to Jane castor. Now folks can make a livable wage and avoid government assistance. The U.S government spends $250 Billion per year on government assistance for the working poor. This is called corporate welfare. Your taxes won’t go up, maybe the legislature can roll back the 500 million in corporate tax cuts they just gave away to companies that did not need it. Great for the city workers. It’s about time they caught a break in life. Castor for Governor!!!!

    • gary

      August 28, 2019 at 2:03 pm

      You are bonkers if you think there will not be a tax drive.

      Do you know the current average hourly rate for city works of Tampa exceeds $15.00. This was done as a pandering move and to use as a reason to increase taxes. You clowns are incapable of doing the math.

Comments are closed.


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