Wage War: Cleveland’s Salary Transparency Fight Heads to State Supreme Court

Forget the election results for a second. The most significant shift in Cleveland’s labor market isn't a single vote count; it’s the resurrection of the Fair Employment Wage Board. Re-established in 2024, this board isn't just a talking shop. It’s designed to be a watchdog that gives City Hall a direct hand in how private companies pay people. This move paved the way for Ordinance 104-2025, a strict new pay transparency law. Come October 2025, Cleveland employers won't be allowed to ask what you made at your last job. Supporters say it’ll help close the gender and racial pay gap. Business groups, predictably, argue it’ll just create a confusing mess of rules across the state.

If you read DSA-aligned media, this is a 'pro-worker' revolution. But the financial reality is a bit more complicated. Strengthening union-friendly boards helps labor leaders by making it easier to push for Labor Peace Agreements (LPAs). The part often left out of the conversation? These mandates usually include Project Labor Agreements, or PLAs. Those can drive up the cost of taxpayer-funded construction because they limit bidding to union shops. For people living here, it’s a trade-off. Do you want higher-paying jobs, or do you want more infrastructure projects for the same budget? You can't always have both.

“The FEWB revival provides municipal government a direct hand in private sector compensation standards for the first time in years.”

The story of Tanmay Shah’s 'squeaker' win in Ward 12 on November 25, 2025, fits a clear pattern: DSA-backed candidates are going hard after local seats in the Rust Belt. Now, a quick reality check—some of these 2025 election results haven't been fully confirmed by state records yet. It looks like some sources might be getting ahead of themselves to drive subscriptions. But the push for 'municipal socialism' is very real. It’s a workaround. Since 2015, the statehouse has blocked cities from raising the minimum wage on their own. That’s why Cleveland is using these smaller, administrative ordinances to flex its muscles.

Here’s the kicker: none of this works if the FEWB doesn't have a budget. If there isn't money to pay investigators, Ordinance 104-2025 is just a 'paper law'—it looks good on the books, but it won't actually change anything. Critics of the administration worry these boards are being packed with political allies instead of neutral experts, turning wage enforcement into a political weapon. As the October 2025 deadline gets closer, the real test will be in the courts. Cleveland’s legal team is going to have to defend these rules against the Ohio Attorney General, who has a history of suing cities that try to outpace state labor standards.

Ultimately, this is a story about legal architecture. By building these boards and ordinances now, the city is creating a framework to intervene in the labor market and bypass the state’s ban on minimum wage hikes. For workers, it means more protection when they’re looking for a job. For small business owners, it’s another layer of compliance and cost. We’ll be watching the FEWB’s first big enforcement moves to see if they actually deliver on their promises or if this was all just a campaign talking point.