Actors' Equity Association Issues Strike Threat at Casa Bonita in Denver
Lakewood, Colorado – The National Council of Actors' Equity Association, the union representing more than 51,000 professional performers and stage managers working in live theatre across the country, has voted unanimously to authorize a strike for the workers of Casa Bonita in Denver at the discretion of their lead negotiator. Casa Bonita is a Mexican theme restaurant that has become a venerable Denver institution, which recently underwent a $40 million renovation bankrolled by owners Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park fame.
The overwhelming majority of workers on this contract have stated that they support this strike.
"We are the reason guests leave smiling and telling stories about Casa Bonita. We are the reason people drive across states to see this show. And yet, management continues to devalue the very people who make it all possible," said lead diver Bethel Lindsley. "Without the entertainment team, Casa Bonita is just a giant pink building with Mexican Rainforest Café vibes. And if management doesn't begin to take our bargaining process seriously, they're going to see exactly what that feels like."
Equity and Casa Bonita management have been in negotiations since April 2025. The performers unanimously voted to unionize in November 2024, and unanimously reaffirmed their commitment to the union with their labor peace vote on August 14, 2025. In September, the union filed an Unfair Labor Practices charge against Casa Bonita when the restaurant illegally cut more than 1,000 hours from the workers without engaging in bargaining. Since then, Casa Bonita has added insult to injury by doubling down on an unfair wage proposal and refusing to respond to demands around performer safety. Yesterday, the workers delivered a petition to management urging them to accept the contract that is currently on the table.
Management at Casa Bonita faces a rapidly unionizing workforce. In the last year, IATSE has organized arcade workers and crew, and they are preparing for an upcoming election for 150+ servers, bussers, front-of-house and guest service workers that has been delayed by the federal government shutdown).
For additional information, please follow Casa Bonita United (@casabonitaunited) and Actors' Equity Association ( @actorsequity) on Instagram.
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits (health and pension included). Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. www.actorsequity.org #EquityWorks
October 21, 2025
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