Steadfast after closure, workers at The Original Pantry say the fight for the restaurant’s future is not over. Community members are protesting the closure of the LA icon, The Original Pantry Café, which closed its doors for the last time at 5 PM yesterday. The Richard J. Riordan Trust, which controls the restaurant, decided on its closure. However, long-time workers are seeking further talks with the Trust in an effort to keep the L.A. icon open under new ownership.
After completing their final duties, workers gathered in the historic dining room and requested a meeting with a representative from the Trust. Their request was denied, and police were called to remove them. Under threat of arrest, workers left peacefully at 7 PM to cheers from supporters outside. The LAPD briefly detained and cited UNITE HERE Local 11 co-president Kurt Petersen.
“Mayor Riordan’s heirs and the trustees of his estate have chosen to discard these workers in a shameless move straight out of Elon Musk’s playbook,” said Petersen. “I think the late mayor would be appalled at the greed on display.”
In negotiations with UNITE HERE Local 11, representing the workers, The Pantry gave an ultimatum: shut down and fire all employees unless they give up demands for job security and continued union representation when ownership changes.
Maricela Granados, known as Mary G., a server for 26 years, expressed her disbelief as she left: “I didn’t believe they would really close and kick us all out. I’m not sure what I’m going to do next, but I won’t stop fighting for the Pantry.”
Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice have launched a GoFundMe campaign for the fired workers.
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