Brooke Shields, president of the Actors' Equity Association, has been instrumental in the unionization of approximately 80 workers at Casa Bonita, the famed Mexican-themed restaurant in Lakewood, Colorado, owned by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
Shields described conducting an "ambush" at the establishment in March, visiting unannounced after receiving complaints from employees regarding working conditions. "You try doing things respectfully, and then you’re not met with equal respect… so you have to resort to other tactics," Shields told CNN Business. The restaurant, which originally opened in the 1970s, was purchased by Stone and Parker in 2021 for $7-8 million, saving it from bankruptcy. Extensive renovations have reportedly brought the total investment to $50 million.
The union is advocating for a $10 per hour wage increase for employees, who currently earn $26 per hour. Their demands also include a safer work environment. Specific concerns include the 12.5-foot-deep pool, which employees allege has led to incidents of hypothermia and chlorine toxicity. Additionally, the union has cited a lack of an emergency action plan, inadequate security for performers who have reported instances of groping by patrons, and the absence of an active shooter policy.
Actors' Equity Association has filed seven labor complaints with the National Labor Relations Board against Casa Bonita management. The complaints accuse the company of "engaging in a pattern of serious unfair labor practices." These alleged unfair labor practices include an "unfair labor practices strike" in late October and early November of last year after management reportedly cut shifts for three roaming character positions. The union claims that management retaliated in November by discharging veteran employees who protested and then favored newly hired staff with better pay and shifts. Further complaints detail an incident in December where a union negotiating team member was allegedly denied light duty and the ability to file for workers' compensation after a workplace injury. Unionized staff also reported receiving "baseless disciplinary actions for purported attendance policy violations" and experiencing significant scheduling issues created by management.
Shields expressed frustration with the negotiation process, stating, "It's just silence, radio silence." She added, "It's just so disheartening because they're putting their lives at risk, and they're not being looked after." Shields, drawing from her experience on Broadway, emphasized the importance of the day-to-day staff, calling them "the backbone of what we do."
Casa Bonita management issued a statement to the Daily Mail, saying, "At Casa Bonita, we value all of our team members and their well-being. As a policy we do not comment on ongoing labor negotiations."
Parker and Stone, who grew up in Colorado and have fond childhood memories of Casa Bonita, have not yet publicly commented on the unionization efforts. The restaurant is known for its immersive entertainment, including an indoor waterfall, cave, puppet shows, and cliff divers. The creators showcased their connection to the venue in a 2003 episode of South Park.
Shields' visit in March involved hand-delivering a letter to management requesting better wages. She noted her personal observation of the workers' dedication and the need for them to be cared for, comparing their essential role to that of an ensemble cast on Broadway.