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LA’s tourism workers are one step closer to a wage increase by LA28
L.A. City Council voted Wednesday to approve a motion to increase the minimum wage for airport and hotel workers to $30 an hour by 2028.
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Topline:
The L.A. City Council voted Wednesday to raise the city’s minimum wage for hotel and airport workers in time for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics. A final vote on the ordinance is scheduled for May 23.
What’s in the ordinance? Minimum wage for tourism workers would increase to $30 an hour by 2028, which labor leaders are touting as the highest in the U.S. It also requires employers to pay hotel and airport workers an additional $8.35 hourly wage for health benefits.
Backstory: Advocates say that low-wage workers live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to keep up with living costs in L.A.
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What do supporters say? Sonia Ceron, an airport worker, said the wage increase will change her family’s life. “As a single mother, I will no longer be forced to choose between paying the bills or buying her healthy food and saving for college,” Ceron said. Union leaders like David Huerta, president of SEIU-USWW, which represents airport workers, said the council’s vote “sent a loud message that L.A. will invest in workers so they and their families can live where they work.”
What does the industry say: Some businesses said the ordinance would raise labor costs and force some of them to close. Adam Burke, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, said the city is facing multiple headwinds, including a decline in visitors because of the recent wildfires and long wait times to approve visas.
What’s next: The council voted 12 to 3, with council members Monica Rodriguez, John Lee and Traci Park voting against the motion, which needs a final vote on May 23.
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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.
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