Ordinance amending the Administrative Code to establish the Worker Justice Fund to provide financial restitution and timely payment to workers who have not received payment from their employers for violations of City worker protection laws; to authorize the Fund to receive monies paid to the City as penalties and liquidated damages by employers as well as additional monies appropriated in the future; and to require the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement to administer the Fund and make payments to workers based on specified criteria.

The Labor and Employment Code was established to consolidate various worker protection ordinances, setting minimum labor standards for workers in San Francisco.

The OLSE identified the need for a fund to assist workers who are unable to collect owed wages from employers, leading to the drafting of the Worker Justice Fund ordinance.

The proposed ordinance to establish the Worker Justice Fund was assigned under the 30-day rule for consideration.

The Budget and Finance Committee amended the ordinance to reduce the percentage of penalty revenue diverted to the fund from 100% to 50% and removed certain violations from eligibility.

A coalition decided not to move forward with the Worker Justice Fund legislation due to unresolved concerns with IFPTE Local 21, prioritizing unity and collaboration among labor groups.

The Clerk of the Board confirmed that the Worker Justice Fund legislation remains active despite the recent decision to pause its progress.