Dear Neighbors,
On April 12, I introduced a motion that would uplift over 36,000 tourism workers across the city by raising their hourly wage to $25 in 2023 with plans to increase their pay to $30 by 2028. This action is more critical than ever as the wage rates have not kept up with the rising tide of inflation and the cost of living in Los Angeles.
My proposed ordinance, which was co-presented with Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, would benefit individuals employed at LA area hotels with 60 or more rooms and workers in certain occupations at LAX such as janitors, airplane cabin cleaners, airline catering workers and security officers. Tourism brings billions of dollars to our economy, and the businesses benefiting from tourism workers’ labor can afford to provide good jobs with fair wages.
The living wage movement is a social justice movement where here in Los Angeles nearly 9 out 10 tourism workers are people of color. It’s appalling to think that while the tourism industry has its future growth secured with global events like the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, the workers that keep this major economic engine functioning, safe and profitable are fighting to keep a roof over their heads.
“LA's tourism industry thrives on the hard work of its employees. But right now, minimum wage workers must work over 100 hours a week just to afford an apartment in LA,” Councilwoman Yaroslavsky said. “It's time to raise the wage and make sure that the people who make Los Angeles a world-class destination can actually afford to live here.”
I’m honored to lead this fight at City Hall and continue to work with the Tourism Workers Rising campaign so that no workers are left behind.
Councilmember Curren D. Price, Jr.
Click on the image below to watch a video of the rally in support of this measure, produced by our friends at LA CityView 35.
