The Los Angeles City Council took the first step Friday toward adopting a revised ordinance to raise wages and benefits for hotel and airport workers, voting to accept an updated draft for first consideration and holding the item for a second reading.

Councilmembers recorded a 12–3 vote to accept the city attorneyupdated ordinance dated May 15, 2025, and the measure was held over for second consideration on May 23, 2025.

Speakers during the special meeting and earlier public comment period gave sharply divergent accounts of the ordinanceand its likely effects.

Vanessa Cano, identified as an office administrator at Boulevard Hotel and Studios in Studio City, said she values her joband scheduling flexibility as a mother of two, and warned that an across‑the‑board wage increase could force her small, limited‑service property to close or reduce staff. "With our occupancy already being low, this change could unfortunately lead to the hotel's closure," Cano said.

Marisol Claro, general manager at the same property, told council she has run the hotel since 2011 and said tourism declines and current occupancy levels limit the property's ability to absorb significant labor‑cost increases without risking layoffs or closure. Several other speakers representing small, family‑owned or limited‑service hotels asked council to carve limited‑service properties out of the ordinance or to adopt exemptions similar to those in neighboring jurisdictions.

Opposing speakers and labor advocates urged the council to proceed. An organizer thanked council members who supported the measure earlier in the week and called the vote historic, saying higher wages would help keep Angelenos in the city. Airport worker testimony earlier in the meeting described long hours and low pay and thanked councilmembers for supporting increased pay and medical benefits.

At the special meeting clerkrecording, the city attorneyfiled an updated report and draft ordinance dated May 15, 2025; the council then voted to accept that updated draft for first reading. A council motion to update the ordinance was seconded by Councilmember Isabel Jurado; the record shows the motion carried with the 12–3 tally. The city attorney noted the item required 10 votes for consideration because it is a special meeting matter.

Because the vote was first consideration, councilmembers may propose changes or amendments before the second reading scheduled May 23; the clerk announced the item will return for a second consideration then. The council did not adopt a final ordinance on Friday.

Proponents and opponents now focus on drafting amendments and negotiating technical exemptions for limited‑service hotels, with several owners saying they will shift projects outside the city unless accommodations are made. Labor groups said they would press for passage with minimal carve‑outs.

Provenance: Public comment from hotel staff and managers took place during the special meeting public‑comment period (Vanessa Cano and Marisol Claro) and the council vote on the updated ordinance occurred during the May 16 special meeting first reading; the clerk noted the updated city attorney report and draft ordinance dated May 15, 2025.