Actors’ Equity Association (Equity) members performing at Casa Bonita spent Halloween on the picket line after
management walked away from the bargaining table. Following a three-day strike, members headed back to work on Sunday after successfully securing a mediation agreement.
The bargaining unit includes entertainers who dive off cliffs, interact with guests and perform in shows at the bright pink venue owned by “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Staff unanimously voted to form a union in November of last year, but since then, management has slashed performer hours, proposed insulting economic offers and refused to address workplace safety concerns.
“We have an official agreement to engage in mediation, which presents a real opportunity for productive movement toward a contract,” said Andrea Hoeschen, assistant executive director and general counsel for Equity, in a press release. “With that in place, we offered an unconditional return to work, effective Sunday, which ends the strike.”
“We never wanted to strike to begin with, but Casa Bonita management forced our hand,” said Sam Bishop, a puppeteer at Casa Bonita. “Walking the picket line for the last three days has driven home just how much the community appreciates us – and how much we appreciate them. I know all my coworkers join me in offering a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us – fellow Equity members, other unions, local businesses, area politicians, Casa Bonita patrons and the greater Denver community.”
AFL-CIO Daily Brief