WeHo Chamber Launches ‘My WeHo: Keep WeHo Open’ Campaign

The West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is launching a campaign called My WeHo: Keep WeHo Open, in support of small, local businesses. This is a call to action asking the community to come together and make their voices heard at a the next Regular West Hollywood City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, November 20, 2023.

“Tell City Council you care about our small, local businesses and they should too,” reads a post on the WeHo Chamber social media platforms. “This event is a CALL TO ACTION: it provides us with a crucial opportunity to come together and make our voices heard on matters that are of utmost importance to our community. #KeepWehoOpen“⁠

According to the WeHo Chamber, the MY WEHO: KEEP WEHO OPEN campaign is an effort aimed at mobilizing community support for essential policy reforms necessary to sustain and develop the local businesses that contribute to the area’s status as a premier Los Angeles destination. “WeHo’s businesses have reached a critical tipping point in their survival and as costs of doing business sharply rise, residents are finding it more and more difficult to afford shopping, eating, and playing local – or that their favorite go-to spots have closed. We are losing what makes this city special – our neighborhood-serving places,” reads a statement on the the My WeHo page. “Local small businesses are reaching out to our community members to support our advocacy efforts for smart and fair policy changes that are vital for their continued existence and prosperity – a fair policy that respects the interdependence of workers and owners”

My WeHo is asking for the following:

• Suspension of CPI Increase: Recognizing the existing financial strain, businesses propose no CPI increase in 2024 (and ideally, not until state law catches up). This is essential given that current market rates for minimum wages exceed the mandated amounts, particularly for entry-level positions.
• Revision of PTO Policies: Local small businesses propose aligning our sick pay policies with those of the City of Los Angeles, eliminating the Paid Time Off (PTO) requirement for part-time workers, and amending it to be a more reasonable policy for full-time workers. This would allow businesses to make their own decisions on how and when to provide benefits to incentivize employee growth within the company. The current PTO mandates hinder our ability to offer tailored incentive plans and manage work schedules effectively, placing us at a competitive disadvantage.
• Adoption of a Total Compensation Model: Following the successful legal precedent set by the Seattle Wage Ordinance . WeHo businesses request the introduction of a total compensation model, which is fully legal for a municipality to adopt. This approach would consider tips and commissions as part of the waitstaff’s overall compensation package, allowing businesses to fairly compensate all employees. Additionally, moving to a total compensation model Businesses must pay taxes and credit card fees on all gratuities, in some cases 30% of the revenue taken in.

The MY WEHO campaign will kick off in the days leading to a march. Local businesses and their supporters are gathering at La Bohème (8400 Santa Monica Blvd) on November 20th at 4 p.m. ⁠Participants will have the opportunity to collect a T-shirt and signs to make a strong statement as they enter the city council chamber.

Following the gathering at La Boheme, marchers will proceed directly to the City Council Chambers, aiming to arrive by 5 p.m. During the council meeting supporters are encouraged to exercise their civic duty, address concerns, and make a tangible impact on the decisions being made.

If you can’t make it to La Boheme at 4:00 PM, someone will be at the library stairs between Council Chambers and West Hollywood Park until 5:55 PM. If after 6 PM, please come directly to Council Chambers (625 N. San Vicente).

To register, click on the link below:

https://www.chamberorganizer.com/members/evr/reg_event.php?orgcode=WEHO&evid=78700145