October 16th 2024.
A group of performers at the iconic Casa Bonita restaurant and venue in Lakewood, Colorado, have come together to form a union. These performers, including cliff divers, magicians, and actors, have expressed concerns about safety in the workplace and their pay. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 7, which represents theatrical workers in Colorado, and the Actors' Equity Association have released a statement detailing some of the issues that the performers face, such as insufficient training, scheduling conflicts, and dealing with disruptive and intoxicated guests.
Casa Bonita is known for its diverse cast of performers who interact with guests throughout the restaurant. The most famous of these are the cliff divers, who thrill the crowd with their daring stunts off a 30-foot waterfall. However, there are also actors, puppeteers, magicians, and other crew members who bring the restaurant to life. Despite their important roles in creating a unique dining experience, these performers feel that their concerns have not been adequately addressed.
In response to the unionization efforts, Casa Bonita's general manager sent a letter to the staff stating that the restaurant would not voluntarily recognize the union and suggested a vote be held instead. The employees have filed with the National Labor Relations Board for a union election. Max Peterson, business agent for IATSE Local 7, stated that all entertainment workers deserve the protections and rights of a union, whether they work in a restaurant or a film studio.
On the other hand, Casa Bonita's management has stated that they value their employees and their safety, and believe that they are treated well and compensated fairly. They also respect their employees' right to vote on unionizing. Georgia Pullis, a cliff diver at Casa Bonita, first scales the cliffs and then dives into the pool to entertain guests. Her fellow performer, Joshua Emerson, who plays the gorilla at the restaurant, has had his fair share of uncomfortable incidents with guests, including being hit in the face with a lime.
Emerson and fellow actor Riley Holmes, who plays multiple characters at Casa Bonita, have also experienced inappropriate behavior from guests, including being groped. They share that actors are paid an hourly rate, ranging from $21 to $28, but it is unclear how promotions and pay increases are determined. This lack of transparency has led some employees to leave the restaurant.
Despite these challenges, both Emerson and Holmes are passionate about their work at Casa Bonita and believe in its potential to be a lasting institution in Colorado. They hope that by unionizing, they can create a safer and more secure work environment for themselves and future generations of performers.
It is worth noting that contracted workers, such as musicians, tarot card readers, and face painters, are not part of this unionization effort. This is not the first time that Casa Bonita employees have discussed unionizing since the restaurant was taken over by "South Park" creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, in 2015. In 2023, front-of-house staff sent a list of demands to the owners after they announced plans to eliminate tips and switch to a flat hourly rate pay system. Although this did not come to fruition, the restaurant has made changes such as offering guests the option to tip and recently opening up reservations to the general public after being in a soft opening phase for over a year.
In conclusion, the performers at Casa Bonita are standing together to address their concerns and create a better working environment for themselves. As the restaurant continues to evolve and adapt, it is important to prioritize the safety and well-being of all employees.
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