title
CC - (1) Discussion of Emergency Protections for Hospitality Workers Related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19); and (2) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
body
Meeting Date: March 26, 2020
Contact Person/Dept: Ashley Hefner/Community Development Department
Phone Number: 310-253-5744
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (03/25/2020)
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar, City Manager (03/24/2020)
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) discuss emergency protections for hospitality workers related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19); and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
UNITE HERE Local 11, a union group, has requested the City Council consider enacting emergency protections for hospitality workers related to the COVID-19 emergency. The protections are intended to allow them to (1) be safe if they continue to work during the Coronavirus pandemic; and (2) receive a preference in rehiring if they are subject to layoffs due to this emergency.
Union representatives provided emergency action proposals from hospitality workers responding to the Coronavirus outbreak (Attachment 1) and a Hospitality Workplace Protection Ordinance (Attachment 2) for City Council to consider. The proposals include provisions for prevention, control of layoffs, public health training, and enforcement/ strengthening of short term rental laws. The ordinance outlines provisions on the fair discharge and recall of workers, worker retention, measures to facilitate handwashing, notice of workers’ rights, supersession of a bona fide collective bargaining agreement, and prohibition of retaliatory action.
Staff researched what other cities are doing and was unable to find any other cities that have implemented these measures.
If the City Council provides direction to adopt some or all of the proposed measures, (1) the City Manager will issue a supplemental public order consistent with such direction; and (2) staff will return with an urgency ordinance at the next City Council meeting confirming the City Manager’s orders.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with the discussion of this item.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2020-03-26_ATT-Emergency Action Proposals
2. 2020-03-26_ATT-Hospitality Workplace Protection Ordinance
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Discuss emergency protections for hospitality workers related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19); and
2. Provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.