Los Angeles City Council Delays Wage Increase for Tourism Workers

The Los Angeles City Council has proposed a delay in the scheduled wage increase for tourism workers, raising significant concerns among labor advocates. City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who previously voted to raise the minimum hourly wage for airport and hotel workers from $22.50 to $30 by 2028, is now suggesting that this increase be postponed until 2030. This change comes as the city prepares for the upcoming 2028 Olympics, which will bring heightened attention to worker conditions in the hospitality sector.

Labor representatives have expressed outrage at the proposal. Yvonne Wheeler, president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, criticized the move, stating, “These workers fought for more than two years to improve their working conditions, only to have the very people who should defend them try to take it all away.” She emphasized that such actions exacerbate the crisis of working poverty that afflicts the city.

The battle over the wage increase has been a contentious issue. Earlier this year, a coalition of business leaders sought to repeal the city’s business tax, which generates hundreds of millions of dollars annually for local infrastructure and services. This initiative was partly in response to the City Council’s decision to raise wages for tourism workers. In parallel, the hotel workers’ union, Unite Here Local 11, has been advocating for a broader increase in the minimum wage across the city and calling for a public vote on new hotel and event center developments.

As negotiations continue between city officials and various stakeholders, Harris-Dawson’s spokesperson stated that discussions are ongoing with business and labor interests. Meanwhile, the office of Mayor Karen Bass has not provided any comments regarding the situation.

In a related development, a long-standing Scout camp and training facility at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro is facing eviction. Greater Los Angeles Scouting, which has operated at Cabrillo Beach for nearly 80 years, was informed that its lease would be terminated by the Port of Los Angeles. This decision is part of the Port’s preparations for the Olympic Games, as it will serve as a training site for sailing events. The Port has committed to investing $5 million for repairs and improvements to the area.

The decision to evict the Scouts has left community leaders shocked. Tim Lebetsamer, a Cub Scout leader in San Pedro, expressed disappointment, stating, “It came out of the blue.” The Cabrillo Beach Youth Center has been crucial for local youth programming, hosting activities and events for thousands of young people each year, with greater than 17,000 participants in the last year alone.

The Port of Los Angeles intends to establish an operational training facility for both national and international sailing teams in the lead-up to the Olympics. While the new facility will be managed by a nonprofit organization, Pathway to Podium LLC, officials have assured that community access to the waterfront will be maintained throughout this transition.

As the city navigates these complex issues—balancing the needs of workers, local businesses, and community organizations—stakeholders are closely watching the outcomes of these developments. The ramifications of the wage delay and the eviction of the Scout camp underscore the challenges facing Los Angeles as it prepares for a major global event while addressing the needs of its residents.