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Council advances first reading to extend living‑wage coverage to airport and convention workers
Summary
On first reading the council voted to amend the municipal code to extend the city's living wage policy to workers at the airport and the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center; the measure was read for the first time and laid over to a future meeting for final reading.
The Long Beach City Council read for the first time, and laid over for a final reading, an ordinance that would amend the municipal code to extend living-wage protections to workers at Long Beach Airport and the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.
Councilmembers framed the ordinance as a continuation of the city’s Measure RW work to raise wages for hospitality workers. Councilmember Saro — who led the ordinance presentation for the council — thanked workers and industry stakeholders and said ensuring “fair wages and living wages” supports a stable workforce that can remain in Long Beach. The item drew a series of public comments from airport and convention workers and allied organizations, who urged council approval.
Workers described the local economic context and the demands of airport and convention work. Gloria Hernandez, who identified herself as an airport cashier, told the council many workers are “barely hanging on,” and asked for wages that allow them to “live in the city we serve.” Other advocates from Laine (Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy), Unite Here Local 11 and clergy groups supported the measure.
City staff and council members noted the timing ahead of major global events and the city’s role as an Olympic host-region venue. Mayor Rex Richardson and Councilmember Saro both emphasized the policy would align the airport and convention center concession workers with previously approved hotel wage standards and would come back for a required second reading before taking effect.
Outcome: The council carried the ordinance on first reading and laid it over to a subsequent regular meeting for final reading. No final adoption occurred at this meeting; a second reading and final vote will be required to enact the ordinance.
What’s next: The item will return to the council for final reading and the formal adoption vote at the next regular meeting date specified by the city clerk. Meanwhile, proponents and city staff will continue implementation planning for the broader coverage if the ordinance is adopted on second reading.
