On Bitter Split Vote, Council Narrowly Derails (5-4) Effort To Create LB Ordinance Protecting Hotel Workers From Sexual Assaults/Harassment/Mgm't Retaliation Sought by UniteHere! Union, Opposed By LB Hospitality Interests '

' On Bitter Split Vote, Council Narrowly Derails (5-4) Effort To Create LB Ordinance Protecting Hotel Workers From Sexual Assaults/Harassment/Mgm't Retaliation Sought by UniteHere! Union, Opposed By LB Hospitality Interests '

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On Bitter Split Vote, Council Narrowly Derails (5-4) Effort To Create LB Ordinance Protecting Hotel Workers From Sexual Assaults/Harassment/Mgm't Retaliation Sought by UniteHere! Union, Opposed By LB Hospitality Interests

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(Sept. 20, 2017, 10:55 a.m.) -- On a bitter split vote after over three hours of testimony and Council debate -- with Mayor Robert Garcia taking no public position on the issue -- a slim Council majority derailed (4-5) a Sept. 19 effort by Councilmembers Gonzalez, Pearce, Uranga and Richardson that would have directed preparation of an ordinance -- supported by the UniteHere! union and opposed by LB's hospitality industry -- requiring LB hotels with over 100 rooms to provide their workers with a number of safety protections against sexual assaults and management retaliation for reporting it. To view details of the measures sought by the Gonzalez-Pearce-Uranga-Richardson proposed ordinance, click here.

On a reverse vote on a floor motion by Councilman Austin, seconded by Supernaw, the Council by the slimmest margin voted (5-4: Yes: Price, Supernaw, Mungo, Andrews, Austin) to prepare a non-binding resolution -- that doesn't have the force of ordinance law -- that recites support for a safe work environment for all workers in LB's hospitality industry, protects women; encourages the best technology in terms of panic buttons and surveillance in all hotels; encourages the hospitality industry to work with LBPD on safety plans that protect all guests and employees; to support the rights of employees to organize in the union of their choice; supports collective bargaining in the hospitality industry; encourages hotels and motels to place a priority on hiring local residents; supports these protectsion for all workers and guests in all hotels and motels regardless of their size.

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Councilman Austin called the resolution a "pause," saying he was troubled by a lack of data on the issue. Councilwoman Gonzalez shot back that the lengthy podium testimony the Council had just heard was data, conveyed personally by LB hotel workers who'd experienced sexual assaults, harassment and feared retaliation by management for reporting it. She called the resolution instead of an ordinance an insult to workers.

Councilman Austin responded by citing his own lengthy union background and said the resolution was an opportunity to press a "reset" button, gather additional information and continue to work on the issue.

After the vote was announced, hotel workers in the audience rose and began shouting "shame on you" and "we'll be back" as they exited.

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