Overview
- The Los Angeles City Council approved a proposal to raise the minimum wage for hotel and airport workers to $30 per hour by 2028, with a 12-3 vote on May 14, 2025.
- The ordinance includes phased wage increases starting at $22.50 in July 2025, reaching $30 by 2028, alongside a $8.35 hourly healthcare payment starting in 2026.
- A mandatory housekeeping training program for hotel workers at properties with over 60 rooms is also part of the proposal, addressing worker rights and safety issues.
- Labor unions, including Unite Here Local 11, championed the measure as a way to support working families and ensure economic benefits from the 2028 Olympic Games reach local workers.
- Industry leaders warn the wage hike could lead to job losses, closures, and reduced investment, citing financial pressures on the tourism sector and international travel declines.