The landscape of labor rights at one of the most iconic eateries in Colorado is about to undergo a significant shift, as employees at Casa Bonita, recognized for its theatrical flare and kitschy charm, have announced their intention to form a union. The employees, who include cliff divers, actors, puppeteers, magicians, and crew members, are rallying behind the Actors' Equity Association alongside the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 7. Their collective aim, as stated in a release from the unions, is to dramatically improve working conditions, primarily focusing on safety and better compensation.
According to a statement by the Actors' Equity, as obtained by 9News, the workers are unionizing to more effectively address issues ranging from allegedly insufficient training to dealing with "abusive patrons emboldened by alcohol." The drive to form a union comes in the wake of efforts to improve conditions, which have seen incremental steps forward such as the implementation of a new tipping policy in addition to fixed hourly wages at the establishment.
Founded in 1974, Casa Bonita has become a landmark in Lakewood, Colorado, especially after gaining national fame through a "South Park" episode. Since then, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have acquired and poured over $40 million into rehabilitating the restaurant, enhancing both its culinary offers and patron experience. Yet, despite this influx of investment and a soft re-opening that now transitions into full public access in reservations as reported by Westword, employees attest that compensation has not kept pace with their needs and the industry norms.
Management at Casa Bonita has extended a neutral stance in the wake of this movement, stating, "Casa Bonita values all its employees and their safety and believes they are treated well and compensated fairly. We respect the rights of our employees and believe they should be entitled to vote on whether they are subject to a union,” according to The Denver Post. This is not the first instance employees have sought to collectively bargain; a previous endeavor in June 2023 had the front-of-house staff petitioning for the retention of tips, which led to changes in the restaurant's policies. The upcoming vote will decide if such worker-led initiatives will permanently be cemented into the workplace culture at Casa Bonita through formal union representation.
