As city and county officials and local trade unions work out the kinks in adhering to San Francisco’s new local hire law, which went into effect March 25, a state assemblyman from a county to the south is pushing new legislation that will shut down main elements of the ordinance.
The new San Francisco law, commissioned by Supervisor John Avalos, mandates that 20% of all project hours within each trade be performed by local residents on city/county projects in excess of $400,000. That percentage rises 5% every year until reaching 50% in 2017. In its first year, it also requires that no less than 10% of all project work hours within each trade be performed by economically disadvantaged workers, eventually rising to 25%. And, the kicker according to opponents, the ordinance will be in effect for city-funded projects within 70 miles from San Francisco.