After nearly two years of labor negotiations and grassroots campaigns, Long Beach’s airport and Convention Center concession workers have received increases to their wages — including temporary workers.
The exclusion of temporary workers was a contested caveat to the city council’s original amendment, one that workers and organizers argued against at a January meeting. Temporary workers refers to those hired by a third-party hiring agency, and are often hired when the center hosts large events. The original motion only included agency-hired workers after they work 960 hours within a fiscal year (Sept. 1 to Oct. 31).
Organizers with labor rights group Long Beach for a Just Economy (LBJE) and Unite Here Local 11, the union that represents Long Beach Airport and Convention Center workers, argued that this exclusion would push employers to hire more temporary workers to avoid paying higher wages.
Organizers were also blindsided by the caveat since agency workers have historically been included in wage schedules, and the exclusion was not brought up in the conversations leading up to the ordinance change.
These conversations took place in a year that saw historical growth in Long Beach’s tourism sector. According to Mayor Rex Richardson, Long Beach’s tourism earnings surpassed $2 billion for the first time ever in 2024. The Long Beach Airport also saw a record 1.1 million passengers last year.
On Tuesday evening, the move to update tourism worker wages began with an amendment to remove the controversial loophole from Councilmember Suely Saro. Along with the inclusion of temporary workers, the new wages will also apply to workers at the Queen Mary and at the upcoming Long Beach Amphitheatre, which will also be run by ASM GLobal.
“We can’t build a thriving economy by leaving people behind. Tourism is one of the biggest industries in our city but too many workers who keep it running still can’t afford to live in the city,” said Grecia Lopez-Reyes, director of Long Beach for a Just Economy. “Voters made their priorities clear when they passed Measure RW, no loopholes, no exclusions. We must honor the mandate by rejecting any attempts to carve out exemptions and by making sure that new projects like the new amphitheater near the Queen Mary also follow the new law.”
The new wages will go into effect following this schedule:
- $23 an hour upon adoption of the final reading of the ordinance
- $25 an hour beginning July 1, 2025
- $26.50 an hour beginning July 1, 2026
- $28 an hour beginning July 1, 2027
- $29.50 an hour beginning July 1, 2028
Councilmember Kristina Duggan was the only councilmember opposed to the item, citing concerns that higher wages for workers would force Long Beach’s venues to raise their prices and risk losing opportunities.
“While I’m not a business expert, I do understand that in order to make sure you create a thriving workforce that wants to keep coming back, not just to work, but work and be the face to our visitors, our tourists and anyone that encounters our city for the first time, when they’re treated well and they are health and happy, then visitors have a good time and they’ll want to keep coming back. That’s really what good business is, is my understanding,” Saro responded.
The ordinance will return to the city council for two more readings before it is finalized.
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