COSTA MESA, CA – Thirty-three former and current workers with Mother’s Market stores across the chain filed complaints with the California Department of Industrial Relations late last week, alleging wage theft. Workers said they were unable to take their mandatory rest breaks because they were too busy, feared discipline for taking breaks or were told not to by a supervisor. 

Union supporters from the HEARTS UNITED Committee have been gathering outside Mother’s Market stores staging “Take a Break” events. The pop-up events educate workers about rest break laws and encourage them to take them, while having a taco or a treat with co-workers. 

IRVINE, CA – The Irvine City Council showed strong support for the proposed Grocery Worker Retention Ordinance in last night’s meeting. 

Five of the seven council members voted to draft model language into a City ordinance. The measure is expected to return to councilmembers for a first reading on September 22, 2026. 

A food workers union pushing to organize workers with Mother’s Market & Kitchen…

Mother’s Market & Kitchen has suspended more than a dozen workers months into a campaign to unionize the flagship store in Costa Mesa.

Workers mount big fight back.

Grocery workers marched into Mother’s Market in Costa Mesa Monday morning by the dozens and wanted to speak with the manager.