By james art GLENDALE, AZ (AZ Family) — One of the measures Glendale voters will decide on Nov. 5 is Proposition 499.
Put to the vote by the Worker Power Group, it aims to raise the minimum wage for event and hospitality workers in the city to $20 an hour.
Proposition 499 would also implement the following measures for hospitality workers:
- Earn up to $40 per hour for overtime or extra shifts
- Earn at least a 3% salary increase every year
- Limit the amount of square footage that hotel room attendants can clean in an eight-hour workday unless overtime is paid
Brendan Walsh, executive director of Worker Power Group, said the goal is to regulate wages and benefits for those workers in Glendale. He also said it aims to help workers cope with the cost of living in the city.
“It’s an industry where people struggle to make a living in general,” Walsh said. “Staff levels in hotels remain low, far below what is needed, so in the industry people are overworked and underpaid and really struggling to make ends meet.”
With the city hosting major events in recent years such as the Super Bowl, Final Four and others, Walsh said the entertainment sector is booming in Glendale.
He also said that with more hotels and events coming up in the city’s future, he believes those workers could really benefit from the measure.
“A city that’s event hubs — we’ve got Spring Training, the VAI resort, the Mattel theme park, State Farm Stadium — there’s a lot of tourist attractions, so the industry is really booming there, and we really believe Glendale residents should share in that increase , that boom,” Walsh said.
Because Prop 499 is only on the Glendale ballot this November, the city of Glendale said it is not taking a position on the measure because it is not a city initiative.
However, after conducting his own research, City Manager Kevin Phelps said it’s important voters understand the economic impact it could have on taxpayers if it passes.
“We didn’t realize at the time that we would probably have to audit the schools because if the school has a gym or if the school has a theater, they’re hosting public or private events or sporting events,” Phelps said. “Even if you’re on contract, we need to be able to audit the business.”
Phelps also said that as the city tries to compete to host more prime-time and A-List events, it’s difficult for event centers like Desert Diamond Arena and State Farm Stadium to raise enough money to meet the demand of the wage increase measure for all its workers.
If approved, Phelps said one way to meet Prop 499’s minimum wage and overtime requirements is to increase rates for visitors and residents to enjoy these events.
“The increase in the minimum wage alone gives an increase based on a 40-hour work week is equivalent to $12,200 a year,” he said. “It’s difficult for a property to absorb that kind of salary increase for one employee.
“We want our hotels and venues to be competitive and we just have to expect that you’re going to see a significant increase in the prices that they’re going to have to charge.”
If you are a resident of Glendale and choose to vote by mail or in person this election, both the Worker Power Group and the City of Glendale believe it is important to have everything you need to know about Prop 499 to make an informed vote.
For more details on Prop 499, click/tap here.
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