Home > City Services > City of Buffalo Living Wage Commission

City of Buffalo Living Wage Commission

The Living Wage Commission is a volunteer commission created by the City in 2003 to monitor and enforce the City’s Living Wage Ordinance.

Buffalo’s Living Wage Ordinance was passed unanimously in 1999 and amended in 2002 and 2007.  It provides that certain workers must be paid a living wage.  As of January 1, 2010, the rate is $10.57 if the worker receives health benefits from the employer and $11.87 if the employee does not. (The 2009 rate was $10.31 with benefits and $11.57 without).

The Ordinance applies to all City employees.  It also applies to employees working under contracts with the City when the contract is for more than $50,000 and the employer has more than ten employees.  Subcontractors are covered as well.

You can reach the Living Wage Commission at:

Phone: 716-852-4191 

Address: Cornell University ILR School, 237 Main St., Suite 1200, Buffalo, NY  14203

• 2007 Annual Report
• State of Living Wage Report   (December 2006)
• 2005 Annual Report
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Employee Rights Poster
• Living Wage Ordinance
• Application for Contract
• Grievance Form
• Retaliation Grievance Form
• Quarterly Report Form
• Information for Department Heads
• Living Wage Language for Contracts
• Living Wage Rate History