Long Beach: Last night workers for ASM Global at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center voted 85% to authorize a strike to protest the issue of subcontracting at their workplaces.
“My coworkers and I work hard to welcome all into our city. It is a shame that ASM Global has not ensured its workers earn livable wages whether we work directly for ASM or we are subcontracted.We all need wages to help us provide for our families. ” said Jesus Jr Morales a Banquet Captain at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Workers at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center could engage in picketing, boycotting, or striking at any moment. These workers are the cooks, bartenders, and servers serving the Long Beach Convention Center, the Long Beach Arena, and Terrace Theatre. The workers and ASM have been in bargaining for months but have not reached an agreement on a new union contract, with the issue of subcontracted work being a sticking point. Pickets and protests could occur as early as next week.
Long Beach Convention and Long Beach Airport workers have also been advocating for the City to adopt an “Olympic Wage” ordinance to match the wages Long Beach hotel workers won in 2024. With hospitality business owners set to reap enormous benefits from the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028, an increased minimum wage would ensure all workers who will welcome the millions of guests coming into the region can live in the communities near where they work.
However, Long Beach City leaders voted this past Tuesday to draft an ordinance that would strip away the rights of subcontracted workers to be covered by the city’s wage law. Workers and community members are calling on the city to reverse this decision.
Ada Briceño, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11 said, “As the city and our region are gearing up for the Olympics and Paralympics of 2028, it is disappointing that leaders are taking steps that would strip workers to a living wage. The city and its leadership have an opportunity to right this wrong.”
Social Media Toolkit for Allies Supporting the UNITE HERE Local 11 Hardship Fund
Below is text you can use for social media posts or newsletter blurbs, as well as images in four digital-friendly formats; please don’t post the toolkit link itself on social media. Thank you for sharing this content and for encouraging your friends and colleagues to contribute to our members’ recovery.
Also feel free to share our resource guides in English and Spanish.
~250 characters (tweet)
The wildfires around LA have destroyed the homes or displaced 20+ UNITE HERE Local 11 members. Donate to the union’s Hardship Fund today to help them get the immediate economic relief they need #1u #LAfires unitehere11.org/hardship
~300 characters (longer social media post)
More than 20 UNITE HERE Local 11 members have lost their homes to wildfires or are facing long-term displacement. They need relief and economic support immediately. Please contribute to the UNITE HERE Local 11 Hardship Fund to allow us to respond to the immediate needs of our members. unitehere11.org/hardship
~500 characters (newsletter blurb)
More than 20 UNITE HERE Local 11 members have lost their homes to the wildfires or are facing long-term displacement. These numbers could grow. And even as the fires force whole communities to find sanctuary in local hotels, some of these same UNITE HERE Local 11 members have been providing hospitality during this traumatic moment. Please support hospitality workers most affected by the fires by donating to the UNITE HERE Local 11 Hardship Fund. unitehere11.org/hardship
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I WANT TO DONATE TO THE UNITE HERE LOCAL 11 HARDSHIP FUND
BREAKING NEWS: Long Beach Convention Center Workers Vote 85% To Strike Ahead of Long Beach State of the City, Call on City to Not Roll Back Living Wage Law
“My coworkers and I work hard to welcome all into our city. It is a shame that ASM Global has not ensured its workers earn livable wages whether we work directly for ASM or we are subcontracted.We all need wages to help us provide for our families. ” said Jesus Jr Morales a Banquet Captain at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Long Beach Convention and Long Beach Airport workers have also been advocating for the City to adopt an “Olympic Wage” ordinance to match the wages Long Beach hotel workers won in 2024. With hospitality business owners set to reap enormous benefits from the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028, an increased minimum wage would ensure all workers who will welcome the millions of guests coming into the region can live in the communities near where they work.
Ada Briceño, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11 said, “As the city and our region are gearing up for the Olympics and Paralympics of 2028, it is disappointing that leaders are taking steps that would strip workers to a living wage. The city and its leadership have an opportunity to right this wrong.”
SAFETY SURVEY | ENCUESTA DE SEGURIDAD
LA County Fire Safety & Relief
(PARA ESPAÑOL APRIETE AQUÍ)
FIRE STATUS
Fire emergency updates from Los Angeles County: https://lacounty.gov/emergency/
Damage map of Eaton Fire
Damage map of Palisades Fire
SAFETY
CalFire evacuation guide
SHELTER
Red Cross disaster relief shelters
List of California homeless shelters (solo en inglés)
FOOD
Find free food through the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
FOR IMMIGRANTS
Guide to disaster assistance services for immigrant Californians from the California Department of Social Services
HEALTH
Smoke exposure in the workplace (PDF)
Air quality information: https://www.airnow.gov
Crisis counseling from the federal mental health help line: call or text 1-800-985-5990
BILLS
Apply for financial help from Labor Community Services
LA Times article on paying bills when you are evacuated
FOR RENTERS
Disaster information for tenants from the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs
Tenants’ rights clinics on Zoom every Saturday at 10 AM from the Coalition for Economic Survival
Disaster relief for renters from the federal Small Business Administration
Report unsafe living conditions in rental housing in the City of Los Angeles
People who live in apartments can also call call (866) 557-7368
People who live in rented houses or condos can also call (866) 524-2845
Report housing violations to the County of Los Angeles by making an appointment or calling (800) 593-8222 (open Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4:30 PM)
UNEMPLOYMENT
Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available, even to people who might not usually qualify for unemployment.
Call California EDD at 1-833-998-2284
(para español: 1-855-964-0634 | other languages: 1-800-300-5616)
Open Mon–Fri, 8AM–5PM
POWER, GAS & WATER
LADWP maps showing where power and water are out
SoCal Edison outage status
SoCal Gas updates
RIGHTS AT WORK
Graphic showing some of your fire safety rights at work
FEDERAL DISASTER RELIEF
Apply for federal disaster relief from FEMA
INSURANCE CLAIMS
Top 10 tips for wildfire claimants from the California Insurance Commissioner
Home inventory guide (PDF)
United Policyholders explains the process of returning to a wildfire-damaged area, repairing and replacing property, and collecting insurance funds
If your home was UNINSURED, call the California Department of Insurance at 800-927-4357 to set up a consultation
LOANS
Disaster loans from the federal Small Business Administration
TAX RELIEF
Apply for tax relief from the Los Angeles County Assessor
OTHER RESOURCES
Excellent list by the City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department
City of Los Angeles disaster recovery center and other great resources
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Resource map from LA Fire Mutual Aid Resources
Find resources if you are affected by the Los Angeles County fires: 211la.org
Resource list from the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor
Local 11 Member Safety Survey
Resources compiled with help from the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Labor Community Services, the Coalition for Economic Survival (CES), Senator María Elena Durazo, Assemblymember Jessica Caloza, the UCLA Labor Center, the California Federation of Teachers, the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, CalFire, United Policyholders, Nina Grayson, and many others.
UNITE HERE Local 11 Members Care for Fire Evacuees in Southern California
Measure L Update
December 14, 2024
BREAKING: Disney has agreed to a $233 million settlement in the Measure L living wage case! As part of the settlement, cast members at the Resort will receive:
This settlement is the largest class action wage theft case in California history, and would not have been possible without cast members’ willingness to fight for what they deserve from Disney. Workers, our fellow unions, and community members, fought hard for Measure L, Anaheim’s minimum wage law, in 2018, so resort area workers who make the magic for guests from around the world would have a living wage.
Throughout these five years, we’ve shown we’re stronger together and when we are united we can ensure Disney workers are treated with dignity and are respected for their work.
This settlement agreement now goes to the court to get the judge’s approval. After that, members in the class will get an individual notice with the amount you will be receiving from the settlement. If there are no appeals from class members, payments are expected in about July 2025.
You can contact the law firms in charge of the case at (888) 654-6156.
LA TIMES: Disney agrees to $233-million settlement in wage theft case
CAPITAL & MAIN: LA City Council Advances Motion for $25 Minimum Wage for Hospitality Workers
FOX 11: LA tourism workers to receive increase in minimum wage