Laguna Beach voters will weigh in on two ballot initiatives in the November election that could have significant impacts on the hospitality economy.
The first would set an $18 per hour minimum wage for hotel workers and see that wage annually increase by a dollar per hour until 2026. The second would require a public vote on new hotel construction, major remodels, and some minor remodels.
Both initiatives are supported by a political action committee formed last October and sponsored by the Southern California hospitality workers union UNITE HERE Local 11.
The Laguna Beach City Council unanimously agreed Tuesday to place both initiatives on the Nov. 8 ballot. State law allows city councils the option to adopt certified initiatives into city law but councilmembers chose not to do this.
“We are disappointed that the City Council decided to stand with the hotel owners rather than the voters, housekeepers, dishwashers, and cooks. We’ll do it at the ballot box,” Ada Briceño, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11 said late Tuesday.
Kurt Bjorkman, general manager of the Ranch at Laguna Beach, spoke on behalf of
Visit Laguna and several fellow hotel operators encouraging the City Council to move forward with a November vote.
“We’d just like to be able to share our stories,” he said.
Bjorkman added that the Ranch currently pays full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees more than the state minimum wage.
Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen supported sending both initiatives before the voters,...
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