Onstage and backstage staff on the Casa Bonita immersive restaurant, owned by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have voted unanimously to unionize with Actors’ Fairness Affiliation and IATSE Native 7, it was introduced Friday.
“At the moment, we’re proud that we stood as a bunch and stated clearly: We wish to make Casa Bonita higher,” the staff main the unionization effort stated in an announcement. “We love Casa Bonita, and already give our all to offering our friends with an unforgettable expertise. When it’s a safer, fairer place to work, we can higher give attention to doing our jobs realizing we’re protected, revered and valued. We knew that the easiest way to make that occur was as unionized staff, and this landslide vote confirms that we are going to. We’re desperate to take our place on the bargaining desk quickly.”
The enduring restaurant, primarily based in Lakewood, Colorado, not too long ago reopened after being purchased out of chapter by Parker and Stone. The restaurant options cliff divers, actors, puppeteers, magicians and extra as a part of the eating expertise, supported by crewmembers.
The employees had been trying to unionize because of a variety of considerations, together with security at work, inadequate coaching, honest pay, higher advantages and higher communication between staff and administration.
IATSE Native 7 Enterprise Agent Max Peterson stated, “IATSE Native 7 couldn’t be extra humbled and thrilled by the unimaginable crew of Casa Bonita. The times and weeks main as much as this election have been an inspiring instance of solidarity. This has solely been strengthened by working alongside our union siblings at Actors’ Fairness Affiliation. This outcome reveals that the crew is prepared for a brighter future by way of bargaining collectively to deliver security, safety and lasting enhancements to their office. We’re excited to face with and beside them as we put together for and start negotiations!”
Actors’ Fairness Affiliation Director of Organizing and Mobilization Stefanie Frey stated in an announcement, “The employees made it clear at the moment that they stand united for a stronger and safer Casa Bonita. It’s their imaginative and prescient and braveness that introduced us shortly to an election, and that zeal is what’s going to get us by way of bargaining. We’re so grateful to work with IATSE on getting much more staff at Casa Bonita unionized, and this solidarity goes to imply a greater collective bargaining settlement down the street. On to bargaining!”
Casa Bonita first opened in 1974 and was bought by Parker and Stone after Summit Household Eating places, the corporate that owned the restaurant on the time, filed for Chapter 11 chapter. The restaurant underwent a $40 million renovation, which was documented within the 2024 documentary ¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!. A 2003 South Park episode was set within the restaurant.