Council approves Staples Center supplemental agreement to enforce living-wage and worker-retention terms

The Los Angeles City Council approved a supplemental agreement to the Staples Center deal that gives the city clearer authority to enforce living-wage and worker-retention commitments for employees working at the arena, including catering, security and event staff.

Advocates and employees said the agreement was necessary because the original language in the development deal had been vague and channeled some obligations through the Community Redevelopment Agency, which left uncertainty about living-wage coverage. Madeline Janice Aparicio of the Living Wage Coalition told the council workers at the arena had pressed for wages and protections for years and that the supplemental agreement would provide a practical enforcement path for alleged violations.

Speakers representing affected employees recounted low pay, broken promises of full-time work, and alleged retaliatory layoffs after organizing. "We want respect and good wages because we have families to feed," said Gerardo Lozano, who said he had been laid off after pushing for living-wage compliance.

Labor and community representatives told the council the agreement covers some 1,800 employees and gives the city tools to investigate complaints and enforce contract terms. The council approved the supplemental agreement unanimously during the session.

Councilmembers and advocates said the measure was not only a matter of pay but also of enforcing conditions tied to a major, publicly subsidized downtown project.

The council's approval directs city staff to monitor compliance and take enforcement steps if violations are reported.