A profoundly dishonest political stunt by Councilmember Tammy Kim means that the City's part-time employees and contract workers will have to wait indefinitely for a restoration of the City’s "living wage" ordinance that ensures those employees earn $20 per hour.

Some of the City's 150 seasonal and part-time workers (such as janitorial and maintenance workers, childcare workers, and grounds-keeping workers) make about $16.50 to $17 per hour.

The reinstatement of the living wage ordinance had seemingly been sailing through the City’s decision-making process, with Irvine's Finance Commission endorsing it, 4-1.

But, when it came before the City Council for final approval, Councilmembers Kim and Treseder refused to support it.