Contra Costa, Calif., Council Mandates Higher Wages for City Contractors.

Byline: Peter Felsenfeld

Oct. 25--RICHMOND, Calif. -- The City Council has ok'd Contra Costa County's first living wage ordinance, setting higher wage standards than similar measures adopted in Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose.

The ordinance requires firms with ten or more employees receiving more than $25,000 annually in city contracts to pay employees at least $11.42 and hour with benefits or $12.92 without.

The measure also applies to city employees, nonprofit groups with annual city contracts totaling $100,000 and lessees of public property with 25 employees and annual earnings of $350,000.

The 150 living wage advocates crammed into …