Why I support Measure S / Hotel Workers Wage and Protection Initiative

 
Why I support Measure S / Hotel Workers Wage and Protection Initiative

The poverty rate in the United States climbed for second straight year in 2021. In California more than a third (34.0%) of state residents were poor or near poor in 2019.

Meanwhile food, fuel and housing costs have been going up. Food costs are up by nearly 10% since last year.[i] Gas prices have increased by nearly 40% and are still climbing. [ii] In Orange County, a worker must make over $40.00 per hour to afford a 2-bedroom apartment. [iii] Measure S ensures that hotel workers who clean rooms and wash dishes will make a living wage that helps families live a decent life.

I stand with hotel workers who clean rooms and are mostly minority women with families to support. These workers are vulnerable and need both wage and job protections not provided some local hotels. Laguna hotels have had record bookings over the last two years. Raising wages for these workers will not be a financial burden. Hotel workers have a choice to join or not join the Unite Here 11 Union. They will still be covered by the wage schedule in Measure S.

The main provisions of Measure S are:

Calls for a minimum wage of $18 per hour for those employed by Laguna Beach hotels, granting annual raises of $1 per hour through 2026.

Protects hotel housekeepers by providing safety buttons they can use to contact security if needed. 

*Measure S doesn’t require the city to spend any new taxpayer money. The City will  have some monitoring duties to assure compliance. All wage increases will be paid by the hotels. 

Note: I have attached Measure S so you can read it for yourself and make an informed decision. The opponents of this Measure have raised over 1.3 million dollars to oppose this. Employees of the City of Laguna Beach are represented by five unions. 

Let's make sure that hotel workers and their families get a living wage.  

Vote YES on Measure S

Thank You, Councilman George Weiss

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[1] https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/news-release/consumerpriceindex_losangeles.htm “Over the past 12 months… Food prices increased 9.3 percent”

[11] “US Dept. Labor Statistics Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that area gasoline prices were $1.640 higher than last July when they averaged $4.384 per gallon.” That’s 37.4%. https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/news-release/averageenergyprices_losangeles.htm
[111] https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/2022_OOR.pdf, p. 54. Specifically, this report says a household would need to make $44.69/hr working fulltime to afford a 2 BR.

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Disclaimer: All representations made in this email reflect the views of the author and are not official statements of the City of Laguna Beach or City Council. Any mistakes or omissions are the sole responsibility of the author, George Weiss

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Have a  question about city government, need a document, or help finding the right person to talk to or anything else, please know that our City Clerk, Ann-Marie McKay is there to assist you professionally and capably. Email: amckay@lagunabeachcity.net or call
949-497-0309