Airbnb wants LA to allow more short-term rentals to save jobs but unions are split

When Airbnb recently launched its campaign to drum up support for more short-term rentals in Los Angeles, it said the effort would produce taxes that would help solve the city's budget crisis and save city employees' jobs.

But labor organizations are split on the effort that's being pushed by the so-called " Save Our Services " coalition, which is touted as being community-based but whose spokesperson is an Airbnb representative. The coalition proposes loosening an L.A. law to allow a limited number of people to rent out second homes as vacation rentals. Currently, the city limits short-term rentals to primary residences.

The campaign first drew attention for what it didn't say: The effort was funded and organized by Airbnb . As first reported by the L.A. Times , the coalitio