A group of UCLA students, unhappy with the labor practices of a supplier to Yum Brands Inc.’s Taco Bell unit, has prevailed in convincing the Associated Students of UCLA, operator of the Student Union, to terminate the restaurant chain’s decade-long tenure. Its last day was Oct. 29.
The Coalition of Immokalee Workers, which represents Florida tomato pickers, has been urging Taco Bell boycotts nationwide, and its outreach to universities has led to the elimination of several contracts. The group alleges that workers are paid sub-poverty wages, are denied the right to organize and don’t receive overtime pay or benefits.
“After a year-long debate, the majority of the board felt Taco Bell could influence their buying cooperative to help make changes in the condition of the Florida tomato pickers,” said Bob Williams, interim executive director of the ASUCLA, noting that the board has heard arguments from Irvine-based Taco Bell and the CIW. “Because of the impasse between Taco Bell and CIW, we chose not to renew the contract.”
In a statement, a Taco Bell spokeswoman said the company was unfairly targeted.
“Taco Bell is the smallest tomato purchaser in Florida of all our national competitors, and we are not in a position to single-handedly influence the grower’s decisions or reform the state’s farm labor issues,” the statement said.
Taco Bell’s 1,000 daily customers trailed only Panda Express among the single-food concepts on campus, Williams said.
UCLA last week opened a Shorty’s Subs in the former Taco Bell location and has developed another taco concept called Mucho Taco.
Some petitions are circulating to reinstate Taco Bell, but Williams said it won’t be easy. “To be undone, the process would have to be the same as it was to close it.”
Starwood Taps Chan
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. has named Harris Chan managing director of its Westin Century Plaza Hotel & Spa and the St. Regis, two Century City properties in the middle of a labor dispute.
While Chan faces challenges posed by a potential strike or lockout, the 297-room St. Regis may only be under his leadership for a short time. The property has been for sale since August, with New York-based developer Related Cos. close to finalizing a deal to acquire the hotel and convert it into condominiums, according to sources.
Chan, who starts Nov. 15, had been managing director at the Westin and Sheraton at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort, a 1,212-room property on Grand Bahama Island.
Tabling Law and Finance
Stephen Flynn, former managing director at Bank One Corp. (now a part of JPMorgan Chase & Co.), and Walter Lowry, previously general counsel for Homestore Inc., are preparing to launch a home dining and entertainment products store called TableArt in Melrose Heights.
The store, in a 2,000-square-foot space at 7977 Melrose Ave., is scheduled to open Nov. 12.
Lowry said he was prompted to open the store after he had trouble finding any merchant that carries glassware, china and table linens that was approachable yet not part of a chain.
TableArt will carry product lines for casual and formal dining, including glassware, dinnerware, manufactured and custom-made table linens, flatware and dining room tables.
Lowry and Flynn selected the location, which is near retailers such as Fred Segal and Miss Sixty, to sell to a broad cross-section of customers. “We hope to draw from Beverly Hills venues but didn’t want to be in Beverly Hills,” Lowry said. “We wanted to be in an area that is up-and-coming, whether it’s seen as alternative or fun or hip.”
Retail Roundup
Club Monaco has leased space on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. The New York-based men’s and women’s retailer, a division of Polo Ralph Lauren Corp., is taking a 3,750-square-foot space at 1225 Third Street that had been occupied by Reebok until it closed three months ago. The space is owned by Federal Realty Investment Trust, which owns nine properties on the promenade. The Promenade marks Club Monaco’s fourth L.A. location
CIM Group has inked two leases at Hollywood & Highland. American Eagle Outfitters is opening an 8,824-square-foot store in a space previously occupied by Tommy Hilfiger, which closed in April 2004. Lucky Brand Dungarees is opening a 3,723-square-foot store in the former Bice Mercato restaurant space…
American Apparel Co. is preparing to launch two new Los Angeles stores, including a 7,200-square-foot unit at 1087 Broxton Ave. in Westwood in early December and a 4,684-square-foot store across from Hollywood & Highland at 6922 Hollywood Blvd. in late November. The Westwood store fills a spot that was vacated roughly four years ago by Aahs gift shop. The Hollywood Boulevard location, owned by CIM Group, will be in the former lobby of the TV Guide building. American Apparel will have seven L.A.-area stores by the end of this year.
Staff reporter Rebecca Flass can be reached at (323) 549-5225, ext. 230, or at
[email protected]
.
