Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Bernie Sanders Calls Offer To End Local Dessert Worker Strike ‘Pathetic,’ Backs Union
Sen. Bernie Sanders greets people during a campaign event in 2019 in West Des Moines, Iowa. He spoke out this week about a long strike by workers at a dessert company in Santa Fe Springs.
(
Joe Raedle
/
Getty Images
)
Workers at Jon Donaire Desserts in Santa Fe Springs have been on strike to get a fair contract for nine weeks, missing vital paychecks during the peak of the holiday season.
While parent company Rich’s hasn’t returned to the bargaining table since union members voted down its “final offer” in December, Sen. Bernie Sanders has thrown his support behind the workers. They will join Sanders in a virtual town hall for national labor solidarity on Wednesday (Jan. 5) at 5 p.m.
In a statement released Tuesday, Sanders said that the offer Rich’s proposed was “pathetic” considering the monetary gap between its billionaire owner and employee wages. Sanders said that Bob Rich, the company’s majority owner, gained more than $2 billion in wealth during the pandemic.
Some people who have worked at Jon Donaire for more than 10 years make $16 an hour — a dollar above minimum wage in L.A. County for businesses with 26 or more employees —according to staff on strike.
Support for LAist comes from
The workers are asking for a larger wage increase than the bump of 50 cents an hour each year proposed by the company. They also want protected health benefits. As the strike entered January, the Bakers’ Union Nate Zeff, says the company is about to essentially “turn off their health care.”
Local politicians have also criticized the company’s practices.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors sent a letter to Rich’s in December calling on the company to bargain in good faith. Supervisor Janice Hahn called on management to “do what is right” by joining the picket line. Supervisor Hilda Solis has also been outspoken, saying she understands the sacrifices the workers, who are predominantly immigrant Latinas, take to picket every day.
Supervisor Hilda Solis walks with workers in Santa Fe Springs on January 4, 2022.
(
Courtesy Bryan Chan
/
L.A. County Board of Supervisors
)
Despite pressure from officials, Rich’s doesn’t plan to present another offer. Company officials insist they're offering wages that are average for the industry or better.
“Our plant remains operational and we continue to welcome back any striking workers with open arms,” Rich’s wrote in a statement.
Support for LAist comes from
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings.
-
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist