Several Taco Bell workers on Stevens Creek Boulevard and Boynton Avenue in San Jose went on strike on Friday Jan. 31, 2025.
The workers went on strike to denounce the working conditions. According to Gilberta Acevedo, an employee at the establishment and a mother of six, it has machines that have not been cleaned, serious issues with the drainage, and on occasion, the workers smell gas. Management has also begun efforts to reduce working hours of the established employees while hiring new staff. When Acevedo learned that the new employees took her hours, she talked to management. After an exchange, she reported, “We need more working hours and instead we are being called animals and disrespected in the store.” This prompted the workers to reach out to the California Fast Food Workers Union (CFFWU) for support.
Avecedo explained how the workers did not want to strike and only did it as a last resort. She reminded people that San Jose has a local ordinance that requires San Jose businesses to offer hours to existing employees before hiring new staff. She is referring to "Opportunity to Work Ordinance" which the city overwhelmingly passed in 2016. She encourages workers to know of this law so they can protect themselves from unfair management.
Acevedo further added, "I used 84 hours per paycheck, and now I am down to 14." Not including overtime pay, she received roughly $1,680 per check, and now it is reduced to 280, which is nowhere near enough to survive in San Jose.
They were joined by the CFFWU, San Jose City Council member Peter Ortiz, and Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong.
Council Member Peter Ortiz and District 2 Supervisor Betty Duong standing in solidarity with Taco Bell workers.
During the rally, Ortiz reminded the crowd that San Jose has a powerful, strong Latino immigrant community. He encouraged workers to make a "goddamn union" and fight against the "crooked corporations."
District 2 Supervisor Duong also voiced her support for the striking workers. She reminded them that workers almost never demand higher wages, but rather an honest day's pay after an honest day's work. She proudly declared that "workers' rights are family values."
In the final parts of the rally, Duong proudly declared, "This is the thing about the labor movement, when we win, we win for everybody. Whether you are with us or not, we win for you. Everybody deserves to thrive, not just survive."
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