Touchstone Climbing employees who say they’re underpaid and lacking in adequate security won an election to unionize all five of the company’s Southern California climbing gyms.
Employees this week said their ballot count was recognized by the National Labor Relations Board, clearing the way for them to form a bargaining committee for labor negotiations as the certification process for Touchstone Workers United continues.
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The five climbing gyms include The Post in Pasadena, Hollywood Boulders in Hollywood, Verdigo Boulders in Burbank, Cliffs of ID in Culver City and LA Boulders in downtown Los Angeles.
Touchstone operates a total of 16 gyms, including 11 more in the Bay Area.
Jordan Mueck, a senior staff member at the Hollywood Boulders location, said Touchstone employees are hoping labor negotiations will result in higher wages. Raises are necessary, he said, to help keep pace with Southern California’s high housing costs and unexpected expenses, medical or otherwise.
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“LA is really expensive,” he said. “Most of our employees are making under $20 an hour and living paycheck to paycheck. And with life, anything can change very quickly.”
After the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns eased, Touchstone employees saw their work hours reduced.
“They halved our hours,” Mueck said. “This was post-lockdown, and it happened with just a day’s notice. When we asked if we could get hazard pay they got angry, and our gym managers said, ‘It doesn’t matter – you can work your hours. And if you get sick that’s your problem.’ “
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In an email sent Thursday, Touchstone management declined to address the employees’ concerns.
“The NLRB has yet to certify the results of the union election,” the company said. “We have no comment at this…
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