Universal Studios Hollywood Workers to Rally
Workers at Universal Studios Hollywood are planning a rally at CityWalk to draw attention to ongoing labor disputes. The event highlights growing labor activism in the Los Angeles area, even within major entertainment and hospitality corporations.
The planned rally is part of a broader "Fair Games" movement demanding that Universal, an official partner of the 2026 World Cup and 2028 LA Olympics, protect its workers from immigration enforcement. Unions are pushing for contract language that would prevent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from entering park property without a signed judicial warrant. This demand stems from the federal designation of the Olympics as a "National Special Security Event," which places venues under the authority of the Department of Homeland Security. Workers, many from immigrant communities, fear that the increased security presence for the games could lead to workplace raids and deportations. This issue has gained international attention, with similar concerns raised at other Olympic venues. Alongside immigration protections, the workers are fighting for a living wage to combat the severe cost of living crisis in Los Angeles. Unions like UNITE HERE Local 11 and IATSE B-192, representing about 5,000 workers at the park, point out that many employees earn near minimum wage while NBCUniversal reports record profits. Some full-time workers have even experienced homelessness due to low pay. The unions have proposed what they call an "Olympic Wage," aiming for $30 per hour by 2028 to ensure employees can afford to live in the city where they work. Contract negotiations have been ongoing since November, with workers previously holding solidarity rallies and wearing pins to draw attention to their fight for a fair contract. This action follows a significant year of labor disputes in Hollywood, including the 2023 strikes by writers and actors, which fostered greater cross-union solidarity.
