Just two weeks before Comic-Con, Convention Center employees approve a strike

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Comic-Con begins in less than two weeks, and convention center workers could go on strike if a new agreement is not reached between their union and the company that employs them.

On Wednesday, more than 99 percent of union members voted in favor of a strike if the union that represents them, UNITE HERE! Local 30, fails to negotiate a new and improved collective agreement.

The union said it represents more than 600 food and beverage workers at the convention center, including Francisco Curiel.

“The way it is in San Diego … everything is so expensive. Sometimes you have to choose between paying rent and buying groceries,” said Curiel, who has worked as a banquet waiter for 33 years. The father of two says he often worked three jobs to make ends meet.

Justine Javes has worked as a banquet waitress at the Convention Center for 27 years.

“Many workers are afraid to speak out,” Javes said.

Union representatives said they were demanding better wages, improved health insurance and better working conditions for their members.

The negotiations are taking place with a company called Sodexo Live! The company gave us a statement which states, in part:

“Collective bargaining negotiations are planned in the coming days and we look forward to continuing to offer attractive wages and working conditions while ensuring workforce competitiveness for our customers and consumers.”

Curiel and Javes said they were confident an agreement could be reached. Both are nearing retirement.

“When I leave, I want to leave my colleagues something to remember me by,” Curiel said.

“I think that’s my contribution for leaving my colleagues. This is my family,” Javes added.

On Friday, a union representative told ABC 10News that a new tentative agreement had been reached and that the next step would be for members to vote on whether to approve the new contract proposal.