Brooke Shields Advocates for Workers' Rights at Casa Bonita: Safety Concerns and Wage Issues Persist
Brooke Shields, a representative for workers at Trey Parker and Matt Stone's Casa Bonita restaurant in Colorado, has raised concerns about safety issues and poor wages at the venue. Shields, who leads the labor union Actors' Equity, is advocating for about 80 performers who unionized in April 2024 against the restaurant owned by the South Park creators.
Negotiations between Actors' Equity and Casa Bonita management, including Parker and Stone, have not yielded significant progress on pay and safety concerns. The iconic restaurant in Lakewood is known for its entertainment offerings, such as cliff diving, puppet shows, and a 30-foot waterfall, which require performers to engage in stunts and interactions with guests.
Actors' Equity has highlighted issues like hypothermia and chlorine toxicity from the diving pool, as well as inappropriate behavior from patrons towards performers. The union is also pushing for higher wages to align with what servers earn at the restaurant. Despite some concessions from Casa Bonita during negotiations, the performers feel that conditions and pay need further improvement.
Shields personally visited Casa Bonita in March to deliver a letter requesting better wages for the performers. She described the experience as somewhat of an ambush, as management took a while to realize her presence. The restaurant has stated that it values its team members' well-being but refrained from commenting on ongoing labor negotiations.
Parker and Stone, who acquired Casa Bonita five years ago, have not attended bargaining sessions with Actors' Equity despite their frequent visits to the restaurant. The South Park creators have a longstanding connection to the venue, having been fans of it since their childhood in Denver. The situation at Casa Bonita underscores the importance of addressing worker concerns and ensuring fair treatment in the hospitality industry.