Proposal to Increase Minimum Wage for LAX Restaurant Workers to $30 an Hour
By Peter Romeo of Restaurant Business,
The City Council of Los Angeles is set to discuss a proposal on Dec. 11 to raise the minimum wage for employees working in restaurants at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to $30 an hour.
The proposal suggests increasing the minimum wage to $25 an hour within six months after the airport traffic returns to the levels of 2019, which could happen this year, leading to a full increase to $30 by 2025. Currently, the minimum wage for these workers is $19.25.
Hotel workers covered by a collective bargaining agreement negotiated with the city in early 2024 would also benefit from the wage hikes, triggered by reaching the pre-pandemic occupancy rates of 2019.
The Airport Restaurant & Retail Association expressed concerns about the proposed increases, citing a substantial 56% wage hike over four years for eligible employees. They highlighted the unique challenges faced by airport restaurant workers, such as longer commute times and security screenings.
The proposal follows a trend of segmental bargaining, seen in the creation of the Fast Food Council in April, which raised the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $20 an hour.
Overall, the proposal aims to improve wages for airport workers and ensure fair compensation for their hard work.
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