The Irvine City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance after a narrow 3–2 vote Oct. 25—with Vice Mayor Anthony Kuo and Councilman Mike Carroll dissenting—which will require better safety practices, higher pay in some instances, and a more balanced workload to the city’s hotel workers.
One part of the ordinance directs hotel employers in the city to 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.
