-

STRIKE ALERT: UNITE HERE Local 11 Pomona College Dining Hall Workers Walk Out on Strike During Family Weekend

Workers demand that prestigious college pay a living wage

POMONA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following stagnant negotiations with Pomona College, at 6 am Friday morning, dozens of dining hall workers at Pomona College walked out on strike as Family Weekend begins.

The workers' primary contract demand is a significant raise to keep pace with the soaring cost of living. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates that a living wage for a family of four with two working adults in Los Angeles County is $30.73 an hour. Some dining hall employees, the overwhelmingly majority of whom are people of color, earn $18.00 an hour.

“I am on strike because I deserve to provide for my family, the same way I care for Pomona’s wonderful students. As a skilled worker at Pomona College, my profession contributes to the health and wellness of the students and the college's overall success,” said Marie O’Campo, baker of 8 years at Pomona College.

Pomona College has been ranked consistently among the country’s most prestigious colleges and universities. Dining hall workers at similar prestigious universities such as Yale University and Wesleyan College earn more than $30.00 an hour.

Pomona College’s $3 billion endowment is the 7th highest among all U.S. universities and colleges – ahead of Yale and Wesleyan – on a per student basis. Earlier this fall, Pomona opened a $57 million new athletic facility.

“I am striking because I want more for myself and for my family. There are employees that have been working here for 30 years or more and they deserve more. I hope to one day be able to make enough to buy a house,” said Hector Melendrez, who earns $18.00 an hour as a utility worker.

“Pomona College has failed to meet the workers’ demands. They have chosen to take a brave step, and we hope the college will finally listen to their concerns and give them the living wage they deserve,” said Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11.

UNITE HERE Local 11 is a labor union representing over 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona who work in hotels, restaurants, universities, convention centers, and airports.

Contacts

Noel Rodriguez | 310-462-7535 | nrodriguez@unitehere11.org

Industry:

UNITE HERE Local 11

Release Versions
English

Contacts

Noel Rodriguez | 310-462-7535 | nrodriguez@unitehere11.org

More News From UNITE HERE Local 11

UNITE HERE Local 11 Releases Letter Urging Yavapai County Sherriff’s Office and Board of Supervisors to Replace Aramark through the RFP for Food, Commissary, and Banking Services

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Unite Here Local 11 released a letter today from Local 11 Co-president Susan Minato urging the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors and Yavapai County Sheriff to weigh Aramark’s performance in state and US correctional facilities in its pending RFP for food service at Camp Verde Detention Center, Prescott Detention Center, and the collocated mental health facility in Prescott and to consider an alternative provider. The letter is available here. The letter states: “Dear...

UNITE HERE Locals 11 and 2 File Complaint Calling on Alaska Air Group to Enforce Supplier Labor Code at Flying Food Group

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On September 1, UNITE HERE Local 11 and UNITE HERE Local 2 filed a formal complaint asking Alaska Air Group to enforce its Supplier Code of Conduct against inflight caterer Flying Food Group (FFG), which provides catering services to Alaska subsidiary Hawaiian Airlines at Los Angeles International Airport and provided catering services to San Francisco International Airport until earlier this year. The complaint asks Alaska to cease sourcing from FFG until the comp...

UNITE HERE Local 11 Releases Letter Urging Greene County Ohio Board of Commissioners and Captain Tony Buschur to Consider Aramark’s Problematic Track Record in Prison Food Service and Award Contract to Alternate Provider

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UNITE HERE Local 11 urges Greene County, Ohio to consider Aramark’s track record in prison food service and award the contract to another provider....
Back to Newsroom