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 ALL OUR RECENT UNION HIGHLIGHTS!

 

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!

Aramark workers from the Arizona State University campuses travelled to the Arizona Board of Regents last week to talk with board members about their upcoming contract negotiations. Workers’ contract with Aramark expired in August of this year, and we will not stand for anything less than a fair contract and we are prepared to fight for it.

LA Convention Center Expansion

LA City Council’s final vote on the proposed LA Convention Center Expansion and Modernization passed. We joined a coalition of organized labor, business, and community leaders to rally in front of City Hall in support of the expansion.
“I’ve been doing this job for 15 years, and I’ve served thousands of event attendees. This job matters to me,” said Erika Bowman, Bartender for Compass/Levy at the LA Convention Center and member of UNITE HERE Local 11.

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!

Workers have been fighting for better wages and benefits since last year, this is the latest group of workers at a Compass Group cafeteria to strike this year.

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.”

DISNEY WORKERS ARE STRONGER WITH LOCAL 11!

CELEBRATING LABOR DAY!

Local 11 members use their unpaid meal breaks on Labor Day to take to the streets with a message of solidarity for ALL workers. From DTLA to San Pedro to Orange County: ICE OUT OF LA! Click here to see more pictures

At LAX, FFG workers informed airline passengers of Japan Airlines, ANA, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore, Air New Zealand, Hawaiian Airlines and others to support them by not buying or consuming Flying Food Group food in-flight and to instead buy food before boarding.