March 2026 Special Election: GODC Endorses Measures V & W
Through a powerful, worker-led campaign supported by community allies, UNITE HERE Local 11 collected more than 15,000 signatures to qualify City of Ontario Measures V and W for the ballot. This organizing victory forced a citywide conversation about wages, job quality, and accountability in development. The City Council has now scheduled a Special Election for March 24, 2026. These measures have already earned the endorsement of the Warehouse Worker Resource Center, the Greater Ontario Democratic Club, UFCW Local 1428, and we are continuing to build a broad coalition of labor and community partners. Below is an overview of what each measure delivers for working people, and why we are asking your organization to join us in endorsing Measures V and W.
The Facts on Measure V
Measure V is the first effort in Ontario/Inland Empire to establish a true living-wage standard for hospitality workers, raising the minimum to $18 an hour and increasing every year until it gets to $30 in 2030. Measure V also establishes common-sense safety regulations that protect hotel workers who may face threatening conduct. Employers must provide workers with panic buttons, have a designated security guard to receive alerts, provide workers with training, post notices of this practice, and must not take adverse action against a worker for reasonably using the device and reporting such conduct. Measure V also imposes maximum workload standards for hotel workers. By pairing enforceable workload standards and safety protections with higher wages, Measure V establishes that tourism jobs in Ontario must be built on dignity, not exploitation. Here are additional facts on Measure V:
• Applies ONLY to large hospitality employers
Covers hotels with 80+ rooms, major event centers, and airport hospitality operations— industries that often rely on public land, infrastructure, and tourism dollars. • Establishes enforceable workload protections with premium pay Sets clear limits on room-cleaning square footage and requires double pay when workloads exceed those limits.
• Requires panic buttons and strong anti-retaliation protections
Mandates employer-provided personal security devices, on-site trained response, paid time off to report incidents, and strict bans on retaliation—backed by enforceable penalties. A worker who has been subject to violent or threatening conduct may request reasonable accommodations that could include a modified work schedule, reassignment to a vacant position, or other reasonable adjustment to job structure. • Ends routine subcontracting of hotel room cleaning
Limits labor-contractor use for room cleaning, closing a major loophole used to undermine wages and benefits—while allowing limited emergency exceptions.
• Guarantees worker retention after ownership or management changes Requires new employers to retain a hospitality operations’ existing workers for at least 90 days, protecting job stability during transitions.
The Facts on Measure W
Measure W is a commonsense development accountability law that restores the community’s voice on the biggest decisions in Ontario. Measure W applies only to major hotel developments (80 or more rooms) and major event center developments (1,000 or more seats or 50,000 square feet), and does not apply to housing, routine projects, or everyday construction work. Hospitality developments are often among the largest and most lucrative projects in the city. By requiring voter approval and binding development agreements for these major projects, Measure W establishes a transparent and accountable review process for developments that may involve public land, public resources, or long-term community impacts. This framework ensures decisions are made openly, with enforceable commitments and meaningful public participation. Measure W empowers the community by ensuring that the largest projects move forward only after clear public review and approval. Here are additional facts on Measure W:
• Common-Sense Rules for Major Projects
Measure W applies only to major hotel and event center projects—these are projects that can often involve public land, public subsidies, and long-term giveaways. It ensures these projects cannot move forward without binding commitments and public approval. By requiring development agreements and voter approval, Measure W requires developers to negotiate responsibly with the community.
• Focused on Major, High-Impact Projects
Housing, small commercial projects, renovations, repairs, and already-entitled projects continue to move forward as usual, while Measure W ensures the public has a meaningful voice on the biggest deals shaping Ontario’s future.
• Encourages good projects
Projects that move forward under Measure W must demonstrate market demand, financial viability, and community compatibility.
• Prevents backroom deals that undercut workers and taxpayers
Too often, large projects are approved through closed-door negotiations that trade away public assets without enforceable community protections. Measure W makes those decisions transparent and accountable.
