Council expands living‑wage coverage to convention, airport concessions and amphitheater plans

The Long Beach City Council voted Tuesday to approve revised ordinance language extending living‑wage protections for concession and hospitality workers at city‑owned tourism facilities, including the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, the airport and the planned amphitheater near the Queen Mary.

The measure updates an existing municipal wage code to require a higher minimum for concession workers, with staged increases tied to the period through 2028. Councilmember Suely Saro, who led the update, said the change honors voter intent from Measure RW and helps preserve the local tourism workforce as the city expands venue capacity.

Speakers from hotel, airport and convention center worker groups urged coverage of subcontracted and temporary workers, and the council amended the draft to ensure the living‑wage requirement applies to those workers at covered city facilities. Labor and community advocates emphasized the connection between stable wages, housing stability and service quality.

City staff noted the convention center operates with a history of operating deficits but said recent revenue gains and negotiated contracts already reflected wage increases for some categories; the council and staff discussed financing strategies, revenue streams from tourism, and the timing of contract negotiations. City staff also noted that convention center operations already include negotiated wage elements for some classifications and that the proposed language aligns with recent collective‑bargaining settlements.

Council approved moving the revised ordinance forward for formal readings; the minutes record the motion carried. Staff will prepare the ordinance for formal adoption at a future meeting.