California's Labor Landscape: Minimum Wage Hikes and Victories for Organized Labor

California's state legislature has passed a bill to raise the minimum wage for health care workers to $25 per hour, which is now awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom's signature. The wage increase would apply to all employees in health care facilities, including support staff, and would be phased in gradually based on the size and type of facility. The bill also includes provisions for financial distress waivers and blocks local ordinances for higher minimum wage increases. The cost of the bill is still being calculated but is expected to be lower than the initial estimate.