Thousands of hotel workers must earn a "living wage" under a law signed by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The mayor signed off Monday on a measure extending the city's 1997 wage requirements for city contractors to cover 13 hotels near Los Angeles International Airport. It will take effect on Dec. 30. Employers will have to pay about 3,500 workers hourly rates of $9.39 per hour with health benefits, or at least $10.64 per hour without health benefits. The City Council approved the measure earlier this month despite opposition from hotel owners. While the hotels have no city contracts, they benefit from their proximity to the city's airport, council members said.
See "LA mayor signs law granting living wage to hotel workers", Associated Press, San Francisco Chronicle, November 27, 2006