In a victory for workers and advocates, last Friday the Los Angeles City Personnel and Hiring Committee chaired by Councilmember Tim McOsker (CD-15) voted to advance a motion aimed at expanding enforcement ability of the Office of Wage Standards (OWS) to the full City Council. Introduced in 2023, the initiative was endorsed by the Los Angeles Worker Center Network (LAWCN) and allies and championed by Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez (CD-13) and Councilmember McOsker.
The motion would strengthen OWS’s ability to investigate and enforce workplace violations, moving the City toward a more proactive approach in holding employers accountable to existing labor laws. Specifically, it would:
- Expand investigators’ authority to address complaints related to unpaid overtime, meal/rest breaks, and late wages.
- Authorize administrative subpoenas, allowing investigators greater access to documents such as payroll records during investigations. Previously, obtaining these records often relied heavily on voluntary employer cooperation which created barriers in the process.
- Develop a compliant prioritization system designed to better balance caseloads and target enforcement efforts where most needed.
- Implement proactive enforcement strategies focused on repeat offenders and high risk industries to better protect workers who may be reluctant to file claims due to fear of retaliation, immigration status, and other concerns.
The motion further encourages stronger collaboration between the City, community-based organizations like LAWCN and its member organizations, and Los Angeles County to improve efforts and calls for exploring additional mechanisms to hold employers accountable when they fail to comply with labor standards.
Armando Gudino, Executive Director of LAWCN, issued the following statement:
“The Los Angeles Workers Center Network welcomes the committee’s action to strengthen the City’s investment in protecting workers and enforcing our labor laws. By supporting the agencies responsible for combating wage theft and workplace violations, Los Angeles is reaffirming its commitment to fair workplaces, responsible employers, and the principle that every worker deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and the full protection of the law. Reaching this important milestone reflects the dedication and collective advocacy of workers, advocates, and our community partners.”