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UNITE HERE Local 11

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.

LA TIMES: L.A.’s Original Pantry to reopen with new owner and same workers

“Real estate developer Leo Pustilnikov bought the Original Pantry’s nearly 8,000-square-foot building on James M. Wood Boulevard with the blessing of hospitality union Unite Here Local 11. The union, which represents Pantry workers, inked a deal with Pustilnikov ensuring that the diner would keep union representation and bring back all 25 workers who lost their jobs when it closed in March.”

PRESS RELEASE: LA’s Historic Original Pantry Café To Open Early 2026! UNITE HERE Local 11 and New Owner Leo Pustilnikov Ink Deal to Save Restaurant

Los Angeles, CA: 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.

Now, under new ownership, the Pantry will reopen with its remarkable workers, the union and a renewed commitment to remain a cornerstone of Los Angeles. The Pantry is expected to reopen January 1st, 2026.

The deal comes six months after Richard J. Riordan Trust, the restaurant’s former owner, abruptly shuttered the Pantry after workers insisted that any new ownership must protect their jobs and honor their union. Thanks to a community-led campaign—including protests, pancake fundraisers, and public pressure—workers and allies kept the fight alive.

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!”

Real Estate Entrepreneur and new owner of the Original Pantry Cafe Leo Pustilnikov said,  “The resilience of the Pantry is in many ways proof of the resilience of Downtown as a whole. Both have had ups and downs and both will emerge stronger and more vibrant for future generations of Angelenos”

“The reopening of the Pantry could not have happened without the determination of its workers. I am proud to have helped facilitate the conversations with the new ownership that made this agreement possible,” said Councilmember Ysabel Jurado. “By bringing people together at the table and standing with our workers, we have turned their fight into a lasting victory for Downtown LA and all of Los Angeles.”

Jesus Moran, a server at the Original Pantry for  48 years said “We’re so happy for this new resolution! We hope to serve Los Angeles for another 100 years! To our customers, thank you for your support during our events, and to UNITE HERE Local 11 and Mr. Leo for bringing us back. We look forward to serving lots of pancakes again!”

Rev. Mark Hallahan, a member of CLUE, said “CLUE is elated to celebrate the Original Pantry’s reopening with the Workers who fought to ensure that sacred hospitality will continue to be offered here in the heart of downtown. We give thanks to God for the just resolution before us and pray that the Pantry will continue to be a place where folks can gather together in community and break bread that is served with love and justice”

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!

LAist: LA’s $30 minimum wage boost for tourism workers moves forward after an effort to overturn it fails

“A minimum wage boost for tourism workers in the city of Los Angeles is going into effect after the City Clerk announced Monday that a referendum to overturn it failed to gather enough valid signatures.”

LA TIMES: Bid to repeal L.A.’s $30 hotel minimum wage fails to qualify for the ballot

“The business group looking to repeal a $30 per hour minimum wage for Los Angeles hotel and airport workers failed to secure enough signatures to qualify the proposal for the ballot…”

BREAKING NEWS: In Historic Triumph, Tourism Workers Defeat CEOs’ Multi-Million Dollar Campaign to Overturn Olympic Wage, Law to Go into Effect

Los Angeles, CA: On Tuesday, over a hundred hotel room attendants, cooks, dishwashers, server, airline catering workers and airport workers plan to rally outside Los Angeles City Hall and celebrate the Olympic wage going into effect after the Los Angeles City Clerk announced the deceitful multi-million dollar referendum campaign funded by Delta, United and American Hotel and Lodging Association failed to qualify. Delta is a founding sponsor of the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics.

The Defend The Wage LA Coalition, comprised of UNITE HERE Local 11, SEIU-United Service Workers West (USWW), and Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), released the following statement:

“Tourism workers demand airlines and hotels Pay Up Now! 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. The Olympic Wage must be implemented immediately. 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.”

The announcement comes after a full signature count by the Los Angeles County Registrar found that the referendum campaign did not meet the qualifications to be placed on the ballot.

During the signature-gathering process, the campaign funded by airlines and hotels were accused of misleading voters by claiming the referendum petition would increase wages, when it would actually overturn a recently-enacted minimum wage increase.  Authorities were presented with extensive documentation of these and other deceptive practices.  In some cases, signature gatherers were themselves deceived by the initiative organizers into believing the petition was to raise the minimum wage.

Additionally, volunteers accused signature gatherers of violence against canvassers seeking to educate the public about the actual impact of the referendum and to keep the Olympic Wage intact.  The referendum signature gatherers even set up shop in Skid Row, allegedly paying cash to unhoused people to register to vote and sign the referendum petition. A record of more than 120,000 Angelenos submitted forms to revoke their signatures on the referendum petition when they learned the petition would actually upend the Olympic Wage.

On Friday September 5th  in Long Beach the Olympic wage for convention and airport workers went into effect, bringing their wages up to $25 immediately and to $29.50 by the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028.

Winning the Olympic wage was the first step towards building a more equitable Games that benefits working people. UNITE HERE Local 11, which leads the Fair Games coalition with LAANE and another 60 plus organizations, last month launched a vision calling on LA 28, IOC, corporate CEOs, and elected leaders for a New Deal for Our Future. The new deal would include union jobs and living wages, funding for 50,000 units of housing for working families, a ban on airbnb style short-term rentals to protect our homes, and safe and dignified treatment of immigrant communities.