City of Los Angeles Hotel and Airport Worker Wage Increase Put on Hold After Referendum Petition Filed

Updated 09/16/2025: After the referendum petition failed, the $22.50 per hour hotel and airport worker minimum wage, along with the related changes discussed here, took effect on September 8, 2025.

An ordinance containing a planned minimum wage and benefits increase for hotel and airport workers in Los Angeles is now on hold after a referendum petition was filed with the City Clerk’s office on June 27, 2025.

The ordinance’s changes – most of which were set to take effect on July 1, 2025 – would have raised minimum wage to $22.50 per hour and implemented enhanced healthcare benefits for hotel and airport employees, as well as new training requirements for hotel employers.

The ordinance’s implementation is suspended while officials verify whether enough valid voter signatures were collected to meet the city’s referendum petition requirements. If the petition fails to meet the signature threshold, the ordinance will go into effect the day after the determination. If the petition qualifies, the ordinance will remain on hold until voters weigh in during a future election.

For now, hotel employers should continue following the city’s previously approved hotel employee wage of $21.01 per hour, effective July 1, 2025.

Vanessa M. Greene, J.D., Employment Law Subject Matter Expert, CalChamber

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