After Pomona College denied a claim for wrongful termination of dining hall worker and union leader Rolando “Rolo” Arazia, around 30 people gathered outside of Pomona College’s Frary Dining Hall on Monday, Feb. 23, to rally for his reinstatement.
Tag: Labor union
Coop Fountain operations at risk following destruction of Oldenborg Center next academic year
Plans to destroy Pomona College’s Oldenborg Center in the 2026-2027 academic school year could threaten operations at the Coop Fountain, according to student representatives familiar with the situation. As part of the college’s Global Pomona initiative, Oldenborg will be replaced with the Center for Global Engagement, a facility meant to encourage both global and local partnerships among students and faculty. But one detail in the building’s plans has alarmed students: unlike Oldenborg, the new center will not have an industrial kitchen.
Amazon Labor Union President Chris Smalls, 5C union leaders speak on labor activism at ‘Americonned’ screening
The documentary “Americonned” screened at Pomona’s Rose Hills Theater on Feb. 29. Following the screening, a panel featuring Amazon Labor Union president and documentary subject Chris Smalls, director Sean Claffey and two local union organizers, Pomona dining hall worker Rolando Araiza and Pitzer dining hall worker José Ochoa, discussed workers’ rights and labor activism at the 5Cs and beyond. The documentary discusses Smalls’ success in establishing a grassroots movement and unionizing Amazon workers, fighting against a smear campaign and union-busting efforts from company executives. Smalls’ journey was situated in a broader context of income inequality.
Workers raise concerns about staffing shortages at Pomona dining halls
This month, staffing shortages at Pomona College dining halls led to the temporary closure of the Coop Fountain. Dining management claims these shortages are the result of excessive staff call-outs, but workers allege that the effects of these shortages have been exacerbated by mismanagement.
Where are the PZ 3? Wins, losses and the fight still to come
When UNITE HERE! Local 11 representatives Natasha Wong and Noel Rodriguez informed fired workers Stephanie Smith, Alexis Ongpoy and Kevin Ayala that they had been offered jobs on May 11, the news spread quickly throughout the Claremont community. The offers of employment for the former workers, known as the PZ
Pitzer community celebrates ties to César Chávez at annual breakfast
Hosted by the Latino & Latina Roundtable of the San Gabriel and Pomona Valley, the Cesar Chavez 19th annual Breakfast honored Pitzer College Workers and Student Alliance, among other organizations and individuals who have exemplified the Roundtable’s mission “to improve the quality of life and socio-economic justice of the Latinx community and those facing inequities.” Pitzer students and workers were celebrated for their successful union campaign and for ongoing efforts to rehire three subcontracted dining workers who were fired for expressing union support. Many of the students honored were students of Pitzer Professor Jose Calderon, who as the Roundtable’s President, helped organize the breakfast and fundraiser.
CSWA hosts second McConnell Boycott
By 5:02 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4, over 25 5C students had picketed both entrances to Pitzer College’s McConnell Dining Hall to protest the firing of three former dining workers: Stephanie Smith, Alexis Ongpoy and Kevin Ayala. The boycott was organized by members of student organization Claremont Student Worker Alliance
Calling Pitzer to hire three former subcontracted dining workers, CSWA increases student activism
This week, members of the Claremont Student Worker Alliance (CSWA) escalated actions at Pitzer College in support of three former subcontracted dining workers who allege they were terminated from their positions in retaliation for expressing union support. CSWA has organized a student-led campaign to demand that Pitzer hire Stephanie Smith,
Intimidation, surveillance and unlawful termination: new ULPs allege subcontracted workers take brunt of Pitzer’s union busting
In a series of demonstrations throughout the week, dozens of Claremont College students, Pitzer College workers and union leaders called Pitzer administrators’ and trustees’ attention to an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) filed by the union Tuesday. The protesters alleged the college broke federal labor law by discharging two dining workers who supported the union.
Conoce a parte del equipo de cocina de Pomona: Olga, Teo y Jesús
Traducido por Sara Garza Durante el Día del Trabajo este año, miembros de la comunidad de los 5Cs se juntaron para apoyar a los trabajadores de los comedores de Pomona College en su lucha para incrementar sus salarios. Mostrando solidaridad hacia los trabajadores, cientos de estudiantes y empleados de Pitzer