Hotel worker wages will be decided by Long Beach voters; City seeking argument writers for measure

Following months of strikes from Long Beach hotel workers demanding higher wages, City officials voted five to one to pass the issue to voters in March 2024. 

In a special city council meeting on Oct. 26, Long Beach councilmembers discussed the final language of the ordinance, which says that the council can pass issues to Long Beach voters with a simple majority. 

Councilmember Duggan was the lone “no” vote, asking about the possibility of pausing the wage increases in case of emergencies such as another pandemic. City staff said that the City would have to put the issue on another ballot in that case. 

Long Beach City Council has discussed the item three different times in the past two months, hearing hour-long arguments from both sides of the issue. 

“This has been a really tough fight, but a historic moment,” said Grecia Lopez, the only resident who showed up to the Oct. 26 meeting. “We’re witnessing a different council than the one we did a decade ago … one that cares about working families and putting this on the ballot for workers.”

If Long Beach voters pass the item, the minimum wage for hotel and hospitality workers will rise from its current $17.55 per hour wage to a $23 per hour minimum by 2024. The wage increases will follow through 2028 as follows: 

• $23 per hour as of July 1, 2024
• $25 per hour as of July 1, 2025 
• $26.50 per hour as of July 1, 2026
• $28 per hour as of July 1, 2027
• $29.50 per hour as of July 1, 2028

The city is now seeking argument writers for and against the measure. Those interested in writing arguments for the measure can submit a form of interest to the Office of the City Clerk by Friday, Nov. 4 at 4:30 p.m. Forms can be sent to cityclerk@longbeach.gov or turned in in-person at City Hall (411 W. Ocean Blvd.) lobby level, window 12. 

Mayor Rex Richardson will nominate the argument writers, pending approval of the council at its Nov. 14 meeting. Those selected as argument writers are required to submit direct arguments for or against the ballot measures by Friday, Dec. 8, while rebuttal arguments are due by Monday, Dec. 18.

For more information, please contact the Office of the City Clerk, at 562.570.6101.