The Change.org petition, started on April 7, 2025, titled "Pay the workers of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance a livable wage," has gained traction amid recent labor unrest at the zoo, including a rejected contract proposal that has raised the specter of a potential strike - the first in over 40 years. The campaign underscores the financial struggles of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) workers, noting that the median zookeeper earns between $40,000 and $60,000 annually before taxes, while the cost of living in San Diego is approximately $79,000 per year after taxes.
It argues that many full-time employees rely on renting, working multiple jobs, using food pantries, mutual aid, and living with multiple roommates to survive. The petition also contrasts workers' wages with the compensation of former CEO Paul Baribault, who reportedly earned over $2 million annually, including bonuses, before his departure in March 2025.
The petition's demands follow a significant labor action on April 1, 2025, when unionized employees, represented by Teamsters Local 481, rejected a proposed contract with 860 voting "No" against 272 "Yes." The contract offered wage increases starting at 2% in 2026, rising to 3% by 2028, but workers deemed these raises insufficient against inflation, which has averaged 3.5% annually in San Diego since 2021, per Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Additional grievances include a frozen pension plan since 2021, stagnant health benefit costs, and overall wages that fail to keep pace with the city’s rising cost of living, which has seen a 15% rent increase since 2022, according to Zillow.
The petition warns of broader implications, stating, "A zoo with well-compensated, well-rested, top-talent employees is a zoo that is least likely to have an incident," suggesting that underpaid and overworked staff could pose risks to both worker safety and animal care. It also emphasizes the zoo's role in the community, describing workers as "the children of San Diego" who grew up visiting the zoo and Safari Park, and calling on the public to support their demand for fair wages.
The petition's demands follow a significant labor action on April 1, 2025, when unionized employees, represented by Teamsters Local 481, rejected a proposed contract with 860 voting "No" against 272 "Yes." The contract offered wage increases starting at 2% in 2026, rising to 3% by 2028, but workers deemed these raises insufficient against inflation, which has averaged 3.5% annually in San Diego since 2021, per Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Additional grievances include a frozen pension plan since 2021, stagnant health benefit costs, and overall wages that fail to keep pace with the city’s rising cost of living, which has seen a 15% rent increase since 2022, according to Zillow.
The petition warns of broader implications, stating, "A zoo with well-compensated, well-rested, top-talent employees is a zoo that is least likely to have an incident," suggesting that underpaid and overworked staff could pose risks to both worker safety and animal care. It also emphasizes the zoo's role in the community, describing workers as "the children of San Diego" who grew up visiting the zoo and Safari Park, and calling on the public to support their demand for fair wages.
SDZWA, a nonprofit managing the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, has faced criticism for its handling of employee compensation. Employee reviews on Indeed describe a "toxic" work culture, low pay, and high turnover, with one reviewer noting that "good, experienced employees are not celebrated or appreciated." The same review highlighted the disparity between workers' wages and executive pay, a point echoed in the petition. The organization, which contributes $1 billion annually to San Diego's economy per a 2023 study, is funded partly by city property taxes, a sore point for some locals who feel the zoo prioritizes tourism over resident support.
The petition's timing coincides with a transitional period for SDZWA, following Baribault’s exit and the upcoming departure of Lisa Peterson, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the Safari Park, on April 25, 2025. Interim CEO Shawn Dixon now faces the challenge of renegotiating with the union while addressing community demands for fair wages. A strike, if it occurs, could disrupt operations at a critical time, with the zoo's panda exhibit - costing $1 million annually in fees to China, per a Congressional Research Service report - and summer crowds at stake.
The San Diego Zoo, founded in 1916, employs between 1,900 and 3,000 workers. Its conservation efforts span eight global hubs, but labor unrest threatens to overshadow these achievements. As negotiations resume, the petition reflects a community push for SDZWA to prioritize its workers, ensuring the zoo remains a safe and thriving institution for both employees and the wildlife they care for.
Originally published on April 10, 2025.
