The Irvine City Council passed an ordinance after a narrow 3–2 vote Oct. 25—with Vice Mayor Anthony Kuo and Councilman Mike Carroll dissenting—which will bring better safety practices, higher pay in some instances, and a more balanced workload to the city’s hotel workers.
One element of the ordinance will require hotel employers in the city provide employees with a panic button, which can be used when personal safety is at risk. The issue was included in the ordinance after recent reports from housekeepers of harassment by hotel guests.
“Back in May while I was working on my floor, a fully naked man stood at the doorway of the room to say, ‘can you clean my room,’” an Irvine Hilton room attendant told the council during public comments….