PHOTOS: Ice cream parlor finds itself in a labor dispute

Plans for a new Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab in the Santa Maria Town Center sit in the window of the office of owner Greg Steinberger, in background. The new store is the focus of a labor dispute.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Steinberger looks at a photo on his laptop computer that shows protesters and counter-protesters outside his ice cream parlor.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Owner Greg Steinberger visits with children at his popular parlor.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

The front door of Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Greg Steinberger hands out stickers to Pacific Christian School children visiting his ice cream store on a field trip.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Children on a field trip from Pacific Christian School order ice cream from Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab employee Chris Cavaletto.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

First-graders from Pacific Christian School sample the flavors at Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab employee Chris Cavaletto shows William Klinestuber the ice cream-making machine.  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)