With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Medieval Times Workers Embark On Quest To Unionize
Photo of sparking swords during a show at Medieval Times
(
niXerKG via Flickr
)
Medieval Times workers in Buena Park are fighting for their keep — by seeking to unionize.
For anyone unfamiliar with their dinner-and-a-show format, Medieval Times is an immersive franchise that warps spectators back to the Middle Ages, where kings, queens, and noble knights act out a narrative drama in front of feasting spectators. The act includes jousting, sword fighting, and rival knights vying for the hand of a princess — a production worthy of the holy land of amusement parks, Orange County.
Workers there recently filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to hold an election. If approved, the castle on Beach Boulevard near Knotts Berry Farm would be the second location to unionize, following their kinsmen in New Jersey.
Many of the 50 performers want to organize for better wages, working conditions, and adequate staffing, according to Erin Zapcic, who portrays a queen.
Support for LAist comes from
Zapcic, who has worked at the location for more than a decade, said the arena guests don’t realize how dangerous and demanding the job can be.
“We have guys who were doing three shows a day, five days a week throwing themselves off of horses at 25 miles an hour,” Zapcic says.
If successful, the Buena Park workers would join the American Guild of Variety Artists.
“We love it so much. And that's really why we're doing this is because we do love our jobs,” she said. “We just want to be able to, you know, pay our rent doing what we love. And I don't think … that's an unreasonable thing to ask.”
Texas-based Medieval Times corporation did not immediately respond to our request for comment.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist