Tourism workers shout ‘We’ll be back’ as Los Angeles postpones vote on wage increases

The Los Angeles City Council delayed its vote Wednesday night on whether to approve minimum wage increases for tourism workers.

Hotel and airport workers are seeking a pay increase by the time the 2028 Olympic Games come to Los Angeles but the City Council decided to kick its decision down the road until December.

Dozens of workers who attended the meeting were not happy with the decision and started chanting “we’ll be back,” which resulted in a member of the council asking “everybody who’s shouting out to please not disrupt this meeting.”

The council was scheduled to vote on whether to finalize changes to a city ordinance that would increase the minimum wage for about 23,000 hotel and airport workers from under $20 per hour to $25 per hour next year with incremental increases taking pay up to $30 per hour in 2028. 

Representatives for workers say current pay can’t cover rent and that major events coming to Los Angeles will drive up housing costs even more.

The issue takes center stage as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, a Super Bowl and eight World Cup matches in 2026.

Councilmembers are concerned over potential damage to the tourism industry following a recent economic report.

“Colleagues, I don’t doubt that we all want the same thing; a thriving tourism economy that pays fair wages to its workers but also encourages an entrepreneurial spirit and sets up businesses up for success," District 11 Councilmember Traci Park said. “I am not convinced this policy and this incomplete, inadequate analysis that we were presented with strikes that balance.”

Officials also expressed concerns that the ordinance would increase room rates after hotel owners said they would have to pass costs on to guests. Some owners also threatened to pull out of a deal to provide rooms for tens of thousands of tourists during the Summer Olympics if the ordinance is approved.

The City Council is scheduled to discuss the issue again on Dec. 11.