Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer believes working families are the backbone of our County, and since joining the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in 2021 she has fought for employee rights, good working conditions, and fair wages. She's also introduced and passed policies that empower workers and allow families to thrive.
One of Supervisor Lawson-Remer's many accomplishments is establishing the Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement to provide worker protections, uphold regulations and laws to protect against wage theft, and ensure workers are empowered with the County's Workforce Justice Fund when worker wages are unfairly withheld.
She was instrumental in passing a Contracting Standards Policy to hold County contractors accountable. This policy was enacted to protect the rights of all contracted workers, and was immediately used to support janitors being mistreated by their employer. San Diegans who unfairly lost their jobs, got their jobs back and the contractor agreed to changes to improve working conditions.
Supervisor Lawson-Remer authored the County's Working Families Ordinance, which requires contractors working on County construction projects, and projects on County land, to pay prevailing wages, use skilled and trained workers and provide paid sick leave.
Also, to further align with the County policies for inclusive hiring practices, Supervisor Lawson-Remer developed and passed a policy to hire more neurodiverse people into the County workforce.
Supervisor Lawson-Remer voted to approve historic union worker contracts for SEIU Local 221 and United Domestic Workers of America (UDW) Local 3930.
Considered the strongest contract in SEIU Local 221's history, workers earned significant pay raises for multiple years, financial increases to support rising healthcare costs, and allowances for uniforms and other important worker benefits. UDW Local 3930 also earned a landmark contract for their In-Home Supportive Services caregivers including multiple wage increases, benefits for life insurance, personal protective equipment, and transportation for home care workers.
Progress to empower workers has been made in Supervisor Lawson-Remer's first three years, but more work is necessary.
