Living Desert animal care workers resume picketing amid ongoing contract negotiations
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Animal care workers at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens returned to the picket line Saturday, October 31, as a labor dispute over wages and their first union contract continues.
Workers demonstrated outside the Palm Desert zoo, calling for higher wages as negotiations between the union and zoo management remain unresolved.
The latest demonstration comes after more than three years of negotiations. Employees first voted to unionize in January 2023.
Workers also picketed in May, when some employees accused zoo management of union-busting tactics and retaliation. The Living Desert has denied those allegations.
The union now says it has filed for mediation and three unfair labor practice claims with the National Labor Relations Board. Union representatives also say their attempts to secure mediation have gone unanswered.
News Channel 3 reached out to The Living Desert for an update.
In a statement, the zoo said it has presented the union with its “comprehensive last, best, and final proposal,” which it says includes agreeing to the union’s proposed wage scale.
The zoo maintains the union is responsible for delays in negotiations.
The statement also says that while the zoo does not intend to change its final offer, it will continue to meet its obligations to consider and respond to any proposals from the union.
The labor dispute remains ongoing.
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