Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Workers in the arcade department of Casa Bonita have united to join Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 7 and received voluntary recognition from management.
The arcade workers and leaders, who are part of the venue’s entertainment crew, unanimously signed authorization cards. Workers said they were motivated by job security, fair wages and consistency in scheduling.
“All we want is a better work environment and by joining together with our co-workers we feel like it’s truly possible,” said Dayanara Lopez, Member Leader and Casa Bonita Arcade Captain. Casa Bonita management agreed to voluntarily recognize the members on July 1 following a third-party card check. Lopez added, “Union representation for us in the arcade means that we can be treated with the fairness and respect that we deserve.”
Casa Bonita has been a beloved institution in the greater Denver area since it first opened. It’s owned by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who have described the venue as “the Disneyland of Restaurants” with “Broadway-quality entertainment.”
The arcade workers join other staff and performers, such as cliff divers, actors, puppeteers and magicians, who have unionized with IATSE and Actors’ Equity Association at Casa Bonita.