October 16th 2024.
The performers at Casa Bonita, including cliff divers and magicians, have joined together in an effort to form a union. They are looking to address various safety concerns in the workplace and negotiate their pay. These concerns range from inadequate training and scheduling to dealing with intoxicated and aggressive guests. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 7 and the Actors' Equity Association released a statement on Wednesday highlighting the need for better working conditions.
Casa Bonita, a popular restaurant and entertainment venue in Lakewood, Colorado, has a diverse cast of performers who interact with guests throughout the establishment. The most famous of these performers are the cliff divers who thrill visitors with their stunts off a 30-foot waterfall. However, there are also actors, puppeteers, magicians, and other crew members who contribute to the unique experience at Casa Bonita.
The restaurant's general manager, in a letter obtained by The Denver Post, declined to voluntarily recognize the union and suggested holding a vote instead. As a result, the employees have filed with the National Labor Relations Board for a union election. Max Peterson, the business agent for IATSE Local 7, stated that every person working in entertainment deserves the rights and protections of a union, regardless of where they work.
On the other hand, the management at Casa Bonita believes that their employees are treated well and compensated fairly. They also stated that they respect their employees' rights and believe that they should be able to vote on whether or not they want to be part of a union. Georgia Pullis, one of the popular cliff divers at Casa Bonita, expressed her passion for her job and the need for a safe working environment.
Joshua Emerson, an actor who plays the gorilla at Casa Bonita, shared some disturbing incidents involving inappropriate behavior from guests. He recalled an instance where a patron threw a lime at his colleague's face while they were in costume. Emerson mentioned that alcohol is a significant source of revenue for the restaurant, which can lead to unruly behavior from guests. Riley Holmes, another actor at Casa Bonita, also shared his experience of being groped by diners while performing.
According to Emerson and Holmes, the actors are paid a flat hourly rate, which varies between $21 to $28, depending on their role. However, it is unclear how individuals are promoted or when their pay rate increases due to a promotion. This lack of transparency has caused some employees to leave. Despite these challenges, the performers at Casa Bonita are passionate about their work and want to create a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests.
It should be noted that contracted workers, such as musicians, tarot card readers, caricature artists, face painters, and balloon artists, are not part of this unionization effort. This is not the first time that Casa Bonita employees have considered forming a union. In 2023, front-of-house service staff sent a list of demands to the owners after they announced plans to eliminate tips and instead pay a flat hourly rate. Although this effort did not come to fruition, the restaurant did make some changes, such as offering guests the option to tip and paying a flat hourly rate. Recently, Casa Bonita opened its doors to the general public after being in a soft opening phase for over a year.
In conclusion, the performers at Casa Bonita are determined to create a safe and enjoyable working environment for themselves and their guests. They believe that forming a union is the best way to address their concerns and negotiate their pay. Despite some challenges, they are dedicated to their job and want to ensure that Casa Bonita remains a beloved institution in the Colorado community for years to come.
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