Doris, AGVA’s executive secretary-treasurer. castle where the workers also secured AGVA membership.īoth have suffered retaliation as a result, according to Susanne K. The unionization in Buena Park came on the heels of another union victory earlier last year at Medieval Times’ Lyndhurst, N.J. Sobol, who represents Medieval Times, could not be reached for comment. “The company has not called any emergency sessions during the strike.”Īttorney Daniel J. “That was already scheduled before the strike,” she said. Zapcic said management and the newly unionized employees have not held any labor negotiations during the strike, although a bargaining session is set for March 15. We’re giving performers paid days off and trying not to work everyone six days a week.” We actually have an over-stacked cast right now. “We’ve had performers come in from some of the other castles to help out,” Taylor said. “But we’re selling out on the weekends, and the arena seats 1,300 people.”ĭallas-based Medieval Times operates a total of 10 castle dinner theaters, with additional locations in Lyndhurst, N.J., Dallas, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Myrtle Beach, Orlando, Scottsdale and Toronto. “We’re getting 500 to 600 people for weekday shows, which is pretty normal,” she said.
Other performers decided not to strike but are still part of the bargaining unit. Zapcic said about 30 of the newly unionized performers - including queens, trumpet players, chancellors, knights and squires - opted to walk out. They say management has consistently blocked their efforts to secure a “living wage” and provide improved safety measures. “We’re confident we will prevail in the end.”Ī group of some 50 performers and stable hands voted in November to join the American Guild of Variety Artists. “Morale is good,” said Erin Zapcic, who portrays a queen in the shows and is among the picketers.
11, claiming management had given substantial pay hikes to workers at other Medieval Times dinner theaters while their wages remained low amid unsafe work conditions. Their cause has drawn support from local labor unions, too. Even as customers continue to pack Medieval Times, dozens of performers continue to picket the Buena Park castle after launching an unfair labor practice strike against management last month.
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