With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
$30 hourly wage increase for hotel and airport workers heads to Bass for final approval
An aerial view of the Los Angeles City Council chamber as it votes on agenda item 14 about tourism workers wages ahead of the 2028 Olympics at their May 23, 2025 meeting.
(
Los Angeles City Clerk
/
LAist
)
Topline:
The Los Angeles City Council has approved an ordinance that would raise the wages of hotel and airport workers to $30 an hour over the next three years ahead of the Olympic games. The ordinance now heads to Mayor Karen Bass’ desk for a signature.
What do supporters say: Unite Here Local 11 Union backs the ordinance, president Kurt Petersen told the City Council, “City leaders have an opportunity to ensure the Olympic and Paralympic Games benefit hard-working Angelenos, and this ordinance does just that." Advocates say that low-wage workers live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to keep up with costs of living in L.A. Additional, they argue that the wage hikes will benefit the local economy.
Details: If Bass signs it into law, workers will see a wage hike to $22.50 starting July, gradually reaching $30 by 2028. The ordinance applies to hotels with 60 and more rooms.
Support for LAist comes from
What does the hotel industry say: Ahead of Friday's city council vote, a number of hotel operators said they would pull out of an agreement to provide discounted rooms for the Olympics over the ordinance, including the Hilton and W Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Ray Patel, a small hotelier, says increased wages will force owners to pass off costs to the consumer. In yesterday's council meeting, he asked the city to consider expanding the exemption.
"You did good with 59, but we need the 60 to 150 limited-service, family-owned hotels to also be exempt," Patel said.
Go deeper: LA’s tourism workers are one step closer to a wage increase by LA28
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist