Unions will hold a three-day hunger strike outside of Los Angeles City Hall
In anticipation of the Los Angeles City Council vote on Wednesday, Dec. 9, to increase the minimum wage for tourism workers to $25 per hour, and reaching $30 per hour by 2028, workers represented by Unite Here Local 11 and SEIU-USWW will participate in a three-day hunger strike outside of City Hall.
Dozens of airport and hotel workers are expected to take part in the “spiritual journey of foregoing food and drink in hopes of inspiring … city leaders to stand with them and vote for an improved wage and healthcare benefits,” a union contact said.
Several airport and hotel workers begin three day a hunger strike outside of Los Angeles City Hall on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. The hunger strike is in anticipation of an L.A. City Council vote on Wednesday to increase the minimum wage for tourism workers to $25 per hour, reaching $30 per hour by 2028. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Several airport and hotel workers begin three day a hunger strike outside of Los Angeles City Hall on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. The hunger strike is in anticipation of an L.A. City Council vote on Wednesday to increase the minimum wage for tourism workers to $25 per hour, reaching $30 per hour by 2028. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Airport and hotel workers stage a hunger strike outside of Los Angeles City Hall on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. The hunger strike is in anticipation of an L.A. City Council vote on Wednesday to increase the minimum wage for tourism workers to $25 per hour, reaching $30 per hour by 2028. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dr. Edgar Rivera Colon ordained minister in The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries speaks as airport and hotel workers stage a hunger strike outside of Los Angeles City Hall on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. The hunger strike is in anticipation of an L.A. City Council vote on Wednesday to increase the minimum wage for tourism workers to $25 per hour, reaching $30 per hour by 2028. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Several airport and hotel workers begin three day a hunger strike outside of Los Angeles City Hall on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. The hunger strike is in anticipation of an L.A. City Council vote on Wednesday to increase the minimum wage for tourism workers to $25 per hour, reaching $30 per hour by 2028. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Several airport and hotel workers begin three day a hunger strike outside of Los Angeles City Hall on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. The hunger strike is in anticipation of an L.A. City Council vote on Wednesday to increase the minimum wage for tourism workers to $25 per hour, reaching $30 per hour by 2028. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Several airport and hotel workers begin three day a hunger strike outside of Los Angeles City Hall on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. The hunger strike is in anticipation of an L.A. City Council vote on Wednesday to increase the minimum wage for tourism workers to $25 per hour, reaching $30 per hour by 2028. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Maria Hernandez, with the Unite Here Local 11 communications department, provided a statement from a single mother of two, Lorena Mendez, who said, “I commute over two hours from Bakersfield to prepare meals at LAX’s airline catering company LSG Sky Chef’s. With the $20 I make it’s not nearly enough to help me live in Los Angeles.”
Mendez looked ahead to the Olympics and said, “I hope this fast will enlighten the hearts and minds of Los Angeles city leaders and help them understand they have a unique opportunity to help change the lives of thousands of working families like mine ahead of the Olympics and Paralympcis by passing this law.”
Jovan Houston, an LAX customer service agent and SEIU-USWW executive board member said, “Workers are fed up with the City Council not listening to workers’ demands, so we’re fasting to send the strong message that we can’t afford to wait any longer.”
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She said city councilmembers “have the choice to stand with workers or stand with greedy corporations. They can choose to support working people or allow airlines, contractors and hotels to put profits over people.”
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