Local 11 members win. A lot. We are more than 32,000 workers across Southern California and Arizona, and we campaign constantly to improve our workplaces, organize new workers, and build power for working people in our communities. Check out these highlights from our union’s recent victories and learn about all the different ways we are getting stronger in a union.
CHECK OUT OUR RECENT
UNION FIGHTS AND VICTORIES!
STAND WITH RUSTY’S WORKERS!
Earlier this year, Rusty’s, a longtime restaurant on the Santa Monica Pier, closed its doors leaving many workers without work. We are calling on the Santa Monica City Council to pass a Right to Recall Ordinance so that Rusty’s workers are offered the opportunity to return to work if and when the restaurant re-opens. Sign the petition to tell the Santa Monica City Council that we need Right of Recall NOW!
Rest in Power Kent Wong
We are heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend, mentor, and long-time ally, Kent Wong.
Kent was a pillar in the labor and immigrant rights movement. Kent worked alongside our great mentor, Reverend James Lawson, for over four decades, including 22 years of teaching together at UCLA. A visionary with unwavering dedication and compassion, he carried on Reverend Lawson’s legacy of non violent direct action as a powerful tool for social change.
Kent stood with workers, students, and communities for decades and never backed down from the fight for dignity and justice. His legacy lives on in every organizer he mentored, every campaign he shaped, and every person he uplifted. We are forever grateful for his solidarity, leadership, and friendship. We will continue the fight, and carry his legacy and teachings with us.
Rest in Power, Kent.
NO ICE IN LA
On Saturday October 4 we marched together with a powerful coalition of orgs, unions, and community groups to protest ICE and the $29.9 billion giveaway they received to tear our country apart. We took to the streets to fight for justice, dignity, and freedom, and to say: NO more ICE in our neighborhoods, NO more raids or fear, and YES to love and the power of the working class.
ON STRIKE: Compass workers for Wolfgang Puck at Sony Studio
Thank You LA County Board of Supervisors!
Thank you, LA County Board of Supervisors for voting YES for the Hotel Worker Protection and the Worker Retention Ordinances!
Phoenix Non-Violence Direct Action Training
We are so proud to have gathered with so many incredible people for a training on Non-Violent Direct Action, this time in Phoenix! Nearly 400 activists, workers, elected leaders, and community partners came together to ground ourselves and commit together to the practice of nonviolent direct action, built on the foundation of Reverend James Lawson Jr.’s teachings. Freedom is a constant struggle, but in the words of the 6th principle of nonviolence: “Nonviolence believes the universe is on the side of justice. The moral arc bends toward justice — but only when we push, together, with discipline and faith.”
CAPITAL & MAIN: When Workers Unite, Even Disney Has to Listen
“It’s difficult to overstate the significance of last week’s final approval of a $233 million settlement between the Walt Disney Co. and the tens of thousands of Disneyland employees whom the company has underpaid for years.
This is a battle that dates to 2018, when Anaheim voters passed a measure — backed by a coalition of unions — that was squarely intended to force the House of Mouse to pay workers something approaching a living wage. Instead, Disney resisted the law for years before finally being held accountable.”
ARAMARK WORKERS ARE READY TO FIGHT FOR A FAIR CONTRACT!
LA Convention Center Expansion
SKY CAFE: HIRE LAID OFF WORKERS!
LSG Sky Chef’s workers at Sky Harbor Airport are facing mass layoffs after their employer lost the contract with American Airlines. Sky Cafe, the replacement contractor, has not committed to hiring the hundreds of laid-off workers. Workers held a press conference urging the Phoenix City Council to take any and all steps to protect workers’ jobs.
Cafeteria workers at Walt Disney Imagineering went ON STRIKE!
NEW CONTRACTS!
THE ORIGINAL PANTRY WILL REOPEN!
The Original Pantry Café workers, some of whom have served Angelenos for more than 40 years, will return to their jobs! After a landmark agreement between the new owner Leo Pustilnikov and Local 11, the Pantry will reopen early 2026.
Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11 said, “That the Original Pantry will reopen is not just a union victory — it is a Los Angeles victory. It’s a love story with a storybook ending, arriving at a moment when our city needs it most. The Pantry’s dishwashers, cooks, and servers — with more than 300 years of service between them — never gave up. They are true heroes of Los Angeles. Let’s go eat some pancakes!”
The Original Pantry Café To Open Early 2026!
The Original Pantry Café workers, some of whom have served Angelenos for more than 40 years, will return to their jobs after a landmark agreement between the new owner and Real Estate Entrepreneur Leo Pustilnikov and UNITE HERE Local 11. Together, they celebrated the announcement of reopening of the beloved 101-year old restaurant with city leaders, community allies and loyal patrons. Workers were joined by Los Angeles council members, Ysabel Jurado, Curren Price and dozens more outside the Pantry today.
TORCHED: What LA’s tourism unions just did
“The ruthless greed of Delta, United, and Marriott was matched only by their arrogance,” said Kurt Petersen, Unite Here Local 11’s co-president. “We thank the people of Los Angeles for standing with us. Together, we will not only defend the Olympic wage — we will ensure that the Olympics and Paralympics lift up our city, not line the pockets of greedy CEOs.”
Tourism Workers Defeat CEOs’ Multi-Million Dollar Campaign to Overturn Olympic Wage
In a historic victory over some of the world’s largest corporations who spent over $3 million in a campaign that deceived Angelenos, workers mobilized and defeated the CEOs’ campaign to lower wages. After years of speaking up at City Council meetings, protesting at City Hall and LAX, and even fasting for three days before a Council vote, workers have yet again triumphed over corporate interests. Elected officials must do right by the workers who will make mega-events like the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics happen and stand strong against corporations who seek to undermine workers and Angelenos who have again supported raising wages.”