News Summary
Unite Here Local 11, the union for Los Angeles hotel workers, is demanding $5 billion from the IOC for housing as the city prepares for the 2028 Olympics. Their ‘New Deal for Our Future’ campaign seeks a moratorium on Airbnb rentals and expresses concerns over fair compensation and working conditions. With contracts expiring in 2028, the union threatens strikes during the Olympics if their demands are not met, amidst rising political tensions and ongoing debates over minimum wages and city business taxes.
Los Angeles—Unite Here Local 11, the union representing hotel workers in Los Angeles, has intensified its demands as the city prepares to host the 2028 Olympic Games. The union is calling upon the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the private organizing committee LA28 to provide $5 billion for the construction of housing in Los Angeles. Additionally, they are seeking a citywide moratorium on Airbnb rentals and an end to the IOC’s partnership with the short-term rental company.
The union unveiled its “New Deal for Our Future” campaign in a press conference held outside the Coliseum, a key venue for the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. This initiative is being backed by various unions and community organizations that share the goal of ensuring fair working conditions and adequate living arrangements for the city’s hospitality workforce.
Kurt Petersen, co-president of Unite Here Local 11, remarked that many contracts for local hotels, airports, and stadiums will expire in 2028, providing the union with significant leverage. He indicated that if their demands are not addressed, the union may resort to strikes during the Olympics, which they suggest would be an attention-grabbing move given the global spotlight on Los Angeles during that time.
While many in the tourism sector anticipate that the Olympics will create more job opportunities, they insist on fair compensation for their labor. LA28, in response, has asserted that the Olympic Games will generate good-paying jobs and provide real opportunities for local workers.
The union’s campaign emerges amidst a backdrop of escalating political tensions at City Hall. Recently, the Los Angeles City Council approved a $30 minimum wage for airport and hotel workers, prompting some business groups to seek a referendum to reverse the decision. Major airline companies, including Delta and United Airlines, are supporting this referendum effort, raising concerns about the potential impact of such wage increases on the city’s budget and overall economic situation.
In addition to these measures, Unite Here Local 11 has submitted proposals that include raising the minimum wage for all Los Angeles workers and requiring voter consent for any new hotel and venue developments. Conversely, some business interests have proposed a counter-proposition aiming to eliminate the city business tax, which plays a critical role in generating revenue for city services.
Mayor Karen Bass has voiced concerns about the potential consequences of repealing the business tax, warning that it could threaten essential city services and complicate the logistical planning for the Olympics. Furthermore, critics of the Olympics have expressed trepidations about the Games leading to the displacement of low-income residents, alongside a lack of public discourse involving those most affected by the event.
Airbnb is actively lobbying to increase the allowance for short-term rentals in Los Angeles in anticipation of the surge in tourist numbers expected during the Olympics and other major events. However, the proposal from Unite Here Local 11 argues that Airbnb’s practices contribute to the housing crisis by diminishing the stock of long-term rental properties available to residents.
Amid these discussions, LA28 has maintained that its funding for the Olympics will be strictly sourced from private investments, though skepticism remains regarding the potential financial risks to the city if the costs associated with the event surpass the initial estimates. The recent acquisition of naming rights for Olympic venues by companies such as Comcast and Honda reflects new strategic revenue-generating avenues for the upcoming Games.
The ongoing confrontation between business interests and labor unions in Los Angeles underscores significant tensions concerning the city’s economic landscape as the Olympic Games approach. Multiple ballot measures are anticipated to influence public policy and governance in the lead-up to 2026, heralding a period of transformation in both labor policies and tourism management strategies.
As Los Angeles continues to navigate these complex dynamics, the implications for workers’ rights, housing availability, and the overall structure of economic opportunity remain crucial focal points as the city gets ready to host the world in 2028.
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Additional Resources
- LAist: Unions Demand New Deal for the 2028 Olympic Games
- Los Angeles Times: Olympic Ballot Measure
- New York Times: Minimum Wage and the Olympics in Los Angeles
- Politico: Business-Labor Battle over the Olympics
- Wikipedia: 2028 Summer Olympics
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
The Hollywood Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHollywood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Hollywood Bowl summer concerts, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, film premieres at TCL Chinese Theatre, and festivals at the Magic Castle. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Visit Hollywood, plus leading businesses in entertainment, dining, and tourism that define the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HEREAnaheim.com, and HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
