SR 08-22-2023 16J
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: August 22, 2023
Agenda Item: 16.J
1 of 1
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Denise Anderson Warren, City Clerk, Records and Election Services
Department
Subject: Request of Councilmembers Torosis and Zwick that the City Council adopt
the resolution titled “A Resolution of the City Council for the City of Santa
Monica Declaring Support for the Striking Workers of UNITE HERE Local 11”.
Further request of Councilmembers Torosis and Zwick that the City Council
direct the City Manager and City Attorney to explore and return to Council
with recommendations concerning the adoption of hotel consumer protection
and service disruption laws. Recommendations should consider hotel
consumer protection and service disruption notification laws in New York City,
Newark, and Washington, D.C. that mandate notificati on to guests within 24
hours of becoming aware of a service disruption, including anticipated
impacts of any durational strikes or picketing activities at or near a hotel.
Prepared By: Denise Anderson Warren, City Clerk
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. SUPPORT FOR THE STRIKING WORKERS OF THE CITY OF UNITE HERE
LOCAL 11
16.J
Packet Pg. 584
City Council Meeting: August 22, 2023 Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER _____ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DECLARING
SUPPORT FOR THE STRIKING WORKERS OF UNITE HERE LOCAL 11
WHEREAS, members of UNITE HERE Local 11, representing over 32,000 Southern California
hotel room attendants, cooks, dishwashers, front desk agents, servers and food service workers, voted
overwhelmingly to authorize the largest hotel industry strike in U.S. history;
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica is home to members of UNITE HERE Local 11;
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica is strengthened by the labor of UNITE HERE Local 11
members at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Viceroy, Hampton Inn & Suites, Courtyard by
Marriott and Le Merigot Hotels in Santa Monica and the positive economic and tourism impact created by
the labor of these hotel employees;
WHEREAS, while hotels are making large profits in the recovery from the pandemic, yet wages
for hotel employees and UNITE HERE Local 11 members have not risen since the pandemic, despite an
increase in workload, and striking workers are calling for wages high enough to afford housing in Los
Angeles;
WHEREAS, a video taken during a demonstration on August 5 in front of the Fairmont Miramar
Hotel in Santa Monica shows workers and supporters were attacked by hotel security as they sought to
establish a picket line, despite workers’ legal right to protest for a new contract and fair wages;
WHEREAS, hotels can end the 2023 Hotel Workers Strike and restore the comfort of guests who
have a reservation or are staying at a hotel affected by strike by meeting workers’ demands.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
SECTION I. The City of Santa Monica supports the striking workers of the UNITE HERE Local
11 and urges the hotels that do not have a contract with UNITE HERE Local 11 to negotiate in good faith
to reach an agreement that respects and fairly meets the needs of the UNITE HERE Local 11 members.
SECTION II. The City of Santa Monica implores hotels to sign contracts that meet the demands
of workers for hourly wage increase to keep pace with the soaring cost of housing; affordable family
healthcare; a pension that will enable workers to retire with security, and a safe and humane workload.
16.J.a
Packet Pg. 585 Attachment: SUPPORT FOR THE STRIKING WORKERS OF THE CITY OF UNITE HERE LOCAL 11 (5931 : Support for striking workers of Unite
SECTION III. The City of Santa Monica further implores hotels to center their negotiations
around the recognition that skyrocketing housing costs with stagnating wages are key contributors to the
homelessness crisis, and ensuring workers remain housed is vital to addressing this crisis.
SECTION IV. The City Council of the City of Santa Monica urges hotels and UNITE HERE
Local 11 to come to an agreement for the hardworking people who have helped our hotels and the Santa
Monica tourism industry achieve the financial success they enjoy today.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________
DOUGLAS SLOAN
City Attorney
16.J.a
Packet Pg. 586 Attachment: SUPPORT FOR THE STRIKING WORKERS OF THE CITY OF UNITE HERE LOCAL 11 (5931 : Support for striking workers of Unite