A Living Wage for Emeryville Hotel Workers

What is Measure C?
Measure C is a living wage law for hotel workers that was passed by Emeryville voters last fall. It guarantees workers a minimum wage of $9 an hour, an average wage of $11 an hour, job security when hotels are sold, and reasonable limits on how many rooms each housekeeper cleans in a day.

Why was Measure C needed?
Emeryville hotel housekeepers, mostly immigrant women of color, work hard to keep their hotels running. But too often, hotel managers don't treat them with respect. Housekeepers usually receive low wages and no health benefits. Many workers have been severely injured racing to complete huge work quotas. Measure C simply protects these hard-working women from being injured or exploited.

Is Measure C in effect?
Measure C went into effect in December 2005. But Emeryville's hotels openly refused to comply with it. In August 2005, the city officially ordered the hotels to follow Measure Cand they are currently conducting an investigation to enforce the law. The Woodfin Hotel has finally reduced workloads to come into compliance with the law - but they owe workers more than $160,000 in backpay for the months when they refused to follow Measure C. Harrassment of workers standing up for their rights under the law also continues.

What do the workers say?
Workers at the Woodfin Suites Hotel are awaiting the city of Emeryville to decide whether to grant the hotel an operating permit under Measure C. The results of the city's investigation could determine whether workers are paid the backpay that they are owed.

Since most of the workers cannot afford to live in Emeryville, they are counting on Emeryville residents to help them stand up for their rights and demand action from the City Council. Emeryville residents passed this law and workers need them to stand up to make sure it is enforced.