Vote was 183 yes and 138 no. Well, what did they get? Besides pizza.
“Monterey Bay Aquarium looks forward to negotiating in good faith with MBAWU on behalf of its members. At this time, the Aquarium cannot speculate on what may or may not be included in the union contract. The Aquarium has always prioritized-and will continue to prioritize-the well-being of our staff, who play a central role in maintaining our position as a global leader in marine conservation and education.”
Of course management is going to reject laying down for a labor union. Secret ballot is the best way.
About a month after union organizers sent a request for voluntary recognition of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Workers United (MBAWU) union, which would represent all non-management staff at the Aquarium, the request was denied by Aquarium management. Executive Director Julie Packard, who recently announced her retirement, sent a message to Aquarium employees stating: “We want to be sure we honor each of your voices… That’s why holding a secret ballot election is the best path forward.”
“Really what they’re doing is forcing workers to vote twice,” Anderson says. “I think a lot of our leaders were disappointed in management’s decision because the Monterey Bay Aquarium is such a stalwart supporter of ocean conservation and a leader on a lot of progressive fronts. We figured that they would also do the right thing and stand by their workers.”
Hard to believe in this day and age, but even with help from a fish prison guard could not access the facilities.
Gloria Jean Kish, from Alameda, said she and her sister were visiting the aquarium’s living kelp forest and jellyfish exhibits on July 24, 2024, when she said she encountered “significant challenges” in finding a bathroom that could accommodate disabled people.
“The ADA-accessible restroom they found in the middle of the facility was too narrow for Kish’s wheelchair and prevented her from entering,” according to the complaint filed Jan. 9 in Monterey County Superior Court. “Despite attempting to access three different restrooms, none were suitable for wheelchair use.”
She also suggested that the restroom incident contributed to medical issues, including a urinary tract infection and a permanent catheter, and that she’s been in “bed most of the time since the accident.’
She alleges violation of state laws that are intended to protect disabled people and is asking a judge to order the aquarium to comply with standards required in the Americans with Disabilities Act. She is seeking an unspecified amount in monetary damages exceeding $35,000.
Oh? Sorry, it’s free if you get food stamps or other handouts. Taxpayer admission is sixty dollars per adult.
People who qualify under the SNAP or CalFresh programs will receive complementary entry for up to four people.
In order to get into the Aquarium, the qualifying beneficiary must be present and a valid SNAP/EBT card and a photo ID with matching name required.
Do the fish get lonely with no crowds looking at them through the glass cells?
“Unfortunately, we had to make the tough call to cancel it this year,” said Monterey Bay Aquarium Chief Operating Officer Cynthia Vernon in an email. “Ongoing effects of the extended closure such as staffing considerations, significant revenue loss, and the timed reservation system are among the challenges that led us to the decision.”
The Community Open House is the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s annual event for residents in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties to come and enjoy the aquarium free of charge throughout a week in December. The Community Open House is made possible in part by the support of its business partners and contributions.
According to the aquarium’s financial information, it lost about $43 million in revenue and support in the year ending Dec. 31, 2020. Admissions alone decreased 85% during that time, though its contributions and grants increased about 19%.
Pacific Grove Good Old Days, Pebble Beach Food & Wine also cut.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is temporarily closing to the public as a precaution against the spread of the new coronavirus.
In a press release Thursday afternoon, the Aquarium said it was closing “with the health and safety of our employees, volunteers and guests top of mind, and as a precautionary measure following the governor’s executive order canceling large gatherings.”
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is hosting its first-ever adult sleepover, which means the kids are going to grandma and grandpa’s house.
The aquarium is celebrating its 35th anniversary with a 1980s themed slumber party. It’s called “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of Seaweed): An ’80s Sleepover Party,” a nod to the 1983 Eurythmics song, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” according to The San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Tickets cost $175 for non-members and $150 for aquarium members. They’re on the high-end but it includes a build-your-own-taco dinner, an ice cream sundae bar, alcohol, and breakfast in the morning.
Cultural misappropriation of hip hop gangsta rap Ebonics.
The image received nearly 5,000 retweets and over 18,000 likes, mostly saying how cute Abby is and some even sharing photos of their own overweight pets.
But, Monterey Bay’s comments also came with their fair share of Twitter users shaming the aquarium for “body shaming” Abby and for using several terms originating from African American Vernacular English (AAVE).
“Please delete this tweet. It is offensive,” tweeted Chanda Prescod-Weinstein. “I’m certain that @MontereyAq didn’t realize that they were basically comparing Black women to animals by using AAVE developed to talk about Black women’s bodies to describe an animal. But that’s pretty bad, MBA.”
Monterey Bay Aquarium Goes Politically Incorrect
(NBC Bay Area)
Getting real close to Doc’s.
On July 13, the aquarium purchased a two-story, oceanfront structure located between its Open Sea exhibit wing and Pacific Biological Laboratories from Frances Yee for $2.4 million.
“The building at 810 Cannery Row was acquired from the family of the late Jack Yee, whose father, Won Yee, was the model for the character of grocer Lee Chong, proprietor of the Wing Chong Market,” Monterey Bay Aquarium spokesman Emerson Brown told The Pine Cone
Monterey has a Zoo? Oh it’s an “Animal ranch for film and television in Monterey,California with Bed & Breakfast, educational program, tours and animal training school.” In Salinas.
Cannery Row attracts over 5 million visitors per year.
While the report shows Cannery Row ranked No. 1 most frequented attraction in Monterey County, Old Fisherman’s Wharf was ranked No. 2 and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, No. 3. The top three destinations showed increases from the previous year.
Other attractions named by visitors in order of popularity were: State park or beach, 17 Mile Drive, Point Lobos State Reserve, historical attractions, any art museum or gallery, wine tasting tours, missions, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and the Monterey Zoo.