(4-15-23, in support of DPSFV's resolution)
WHEREAS the tourism and travel industry is a major economic engine in Los Angeles, yet
many workers at airports and in hotels are struggling to keep a roof over their heads and
support their families; infrastructure investments and development are assuring future growth as
Los Angeles prepares to host the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics; in 2022, the U.S.
hotel industry reported average daily rate and revenue per available room that were the highest
for any year on record, i while LAX is expanding; ii and Los Angeles is number one in the nation
for new hotel rooms; iii and
WHEREAS the workers that keep the tourism industry functioning, safe, and profitable –
including hotel housekeepers, LAX janitors and security guards, airplane cabin cleaners, airline
catering workers, airline passenger service workers, LAX restaurant and retail workers – are
primarily from BIPOC and immigrant communities and are facing housing insecurity as housing
costs in Los Angeles rise, meaning that at the current living wage levels an LAX or hotel worker
would have to work 14 hours a day to afford adequate housing; iv v vi vii and
WHEREAS thousands of tourism workers and their families were among the hardest hit during
the pandemic, yet many now lack quality health insurance, as the health benefits requirement in
the Los Angeles Living Wage Ordinance (LWO) has not kept up with the rising costs of family
health insurance coverage according to an April 2022 report presented by the Los Angeles City
Administrative Officer to Los Angeles City Council in compliance with the LWO;viii and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that that Valley Grassroots for Democracy
supports increasing Los Angeles Hotel and Airport Worker wages to $25/hr now and increasing
to $30/hr by 2028 including quality health care, and worker protections, as a matter of economic
justice, housing justice, and public safety;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Valley Grassroots for Democracy stands in
solidarity with workers and their unions UNITE HERE Local 11 and SEIU USWW in their fight to
improve workplace conditions in the Los Angeles tourism industry, including as they take action
to win stronger contracts, respect and dignity.