𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡: Union Members March from City Hall to Pier, Demand Rehire Rights for Rusty’s Workers

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Thursday, October 17, 2025 — Dozens of hospitality workers, community allies, and clergy rallied outside Santa Monica City Hall, calling on city leaders to pass a Right of Recall Ordinance aimed at reinstating laid-off employees from the former Rusty’s Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier.

Organized by UNITE HERE Local 11, participants gathered on the City Hall steps dressed in red union T-shirts and holding picket signs that read “Rusty’s Workers Deserve a Homecoming.” The demonstration began at 4 p.m. with a petition delivery to city officials, including City Manager Oliver Chi, before the group marched through downtown Santa Monica toward the Pier.

By late afternoon, supporters picketed near the shuttered Rusty’s location as the city hosted its “Homecoming” festivities, urging officials to ensure that future businesses operating on public land give priority rehiring opportunities to former workers.

Organizers said the proposed ordinance would mirror similar Right of Recall measures already adopted in Los Angeles and Pasadena to protect hospitality workers from displacement following business closures.

UNITE HERE Local 11, which represents more than 32,000 hospitality workers across Southern California and Arizona, stated that Santa Monica’s “Homecoming” celebration would not be complete without welcoming back the longtime Rusty’s employees who helped define the Pier’s legacy.

Santa Monica Closeup documented the rally, march, and picket line as part of its ongoing coverage of community events, public demonstrations, and local government action across the Westside.