For the first time in Fenway Park’s 113-year history, concession and restaurant workers went on strike Friday as the Boston Red Sox begin a three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Members of UNITE HERE Local 26, who work for Aramark, providing food services in the historic ballpark and the neighboring MGM Music Hall, had set a strike deadline of noon on Friday to reach an agreement. “We’re not against the Red Sox. We’re not against the fans. This is a situation with a concessionaire, a concessionaire who is trying to pay bottom dollar. A concessionaire not willing to deal with technology issues and it frankly, I think, undermines the quality of the park. The culture of this place is you want a guy with a Boston accent to hand you a Sam Adams and not a robot,” said Local 26 President Carlos Aramayo.As negotiations continue for a new collective bargaining agreement, the union said its key demands are: citywide-standard wages; guardrails on automation; increased gratuity for premium workers who serve season ticket holders and special guests; and fair scheduling that respects workers’ seniority.The strike affects workers inside Fenway, including beer sellers, cashiers, servers, souvenir vendors and utility workers.In a statement, Aramark said, “We have bargained in good faith and are disappointed the union rejected our latest offer and chose to call a strike. We are committed to delivering an outstanding fan experience and have contingency plans in place to ensure fans will not encounter service interruptions.”Union officials said they are prepared to strike through Sunday. During that time, MGM Music Hall has one concert scheduled, with country music performer Riley Green on Friday. Union officials also sent an open letter to Fenway Sports Group and Red Sox principal owner John Henry. In the letter, they discussed the issues of pay but also raised concerns about Aramark’s addition of self-checkout alcohol services in the ballpark.”This isn’t just a labor issue. It’s a community issue. It’s about whether the people who serve the hot dogs, pour the beer, and welcome the fans can afford to keep living in the city we love. It’s about ensuring Fenway Park continues to be a place of pride — not just for baseball, but for how it treats the people who make it special,” they wrote. The Red Sox released a statement saying while they’re not a party to the talks, they remain in close communication with the parties involved. “The union representing Aramark’s concessions employees has moved forward with a strike action beginning today. While the Boston Red Sox are not a party to these negotiations, we continue to stay in close communication with Aramark,” the team said. “They’ve assured us that they remain engaged in good faith discussions and had extended a new offer as recently as last night, which was unfortunately rejected by the union. Aramark has implemented its contingency staffing plans, and fans can expect a full and uninterrupted ballpark experience this weekend, including access to all food, beverage, and hospitality services throughout Fenway Park. We remain hopeful that the parties will reach a swift and fair resolution.”The Fenway Park workers authorized a strike last month. (Video below)According to Local 26, Fenway concessions employees earn under $20 an hour, a wage that the union says is $10 less than Boston’s standard for similar jobs.”We all want good wages, and we all want to preserve the jobs that we have,” Fenway employee Amanda Savage said.Some fans are in support of the union. “The message I would want to send is that everybody should have a livable, competitive wage,” Red Sox fan Judi Burten said.”Chances are I wouldn’t cross a picket line of any kind,” another fan said.Chris Collom, Vice President of Aramark’s Corporate Communications, said in June that the company was prepared for the strike. “We are disappointed that the union chose to set a strike deadline, despite our ongoing willingness to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement that works for everyone. We are committed to delivering an outstanding fan experience. In the event of a strike, we have contingency plans in place to ensure that fans will not encounter service interruptions. We will continue to work with the union to try to reach an agreement,” he said.UNITE HERE 26 is the same union that had thousands of hotel hospitality workers go on strike last fall.
For the first time in Fenway Park’s 113-year history, concession and restaurant workers went on strike Friday as the Boston Red Sox begin a three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Members of UNITE HERE Local 26, who work for Aramark, providing food services in the historic ballpark and the neighboring MGM Music Hall, had set a strike deadline of noon on Friday to reach an agreement.
“We’re not against the Red Sox. We’re not against the fans. This is a situation with a concessionaire, a concessionaire who is trying to pay bottom dollar. A concessionaire not willing to deal with technology issues and it frankly, I think, undermines the quality of the park. The culture of this place is you want a guy with a Boston accent to hand you a Sam Adams and not a robot,” said Local 26 President Carlos Aramayo.
As negotiations continue for a new collective bargaining agreement, the union said its key demands are: citywide-standard wages; guardrails on automation; increased gratuity for premium workers who serve season ticket holders and special guests; and fair scheduling that respects workers’ seniority.
The strike affects workers inside Fenway, including beer sellers, cashiers, servers, souvenir vendors and utility workers.
In a statement, Aramark said, “We have bargained in good faith and are disappointed the union rejected our latest offer and chose to call a strike. We are committed to delivering an outstanding fan experience and have contingency plans in place to ensure fans will not encounter service interruptions.”
Union officials said they are prepared to strike through Sunday. During that time, MGM Music Hall has one concert scheduled, with country music performer Riley Green on Friday.
Union officials also sent an open letter to Fenway Sports Group and Red Sox principal owner John Henry. In the letter, they discussed the issues of pay but also raised concerns about Aramark’s addition of self-checkout alcohol services in the ballpark.
“This isn’t just a labor issue. It’s a community issue. It’s about whether the people who serve the hot dogs, pour the beer, and welcome the fans can afford to keep living in the city we love. It’s about ensuring Fenway Park continues to be a place of pride — not just for baseball, but for how it treats the people who make it special,” they wrote.
The Red Sox released a statement saying while they’re not a party to the talks, they remain in close communication with the parties involved.
“The union representing Aramark’s concessions employees has moved forward with a strike action beginning today. While the Boston Red Sox are not a party to these negotiations, we continue to stay in close communication with Aramark,” the team said. “They’ve assured us that they remain engaged in good faith discussions and had extended a new offer as recently as last night, which was unfortunately rejected by the union. Aramark has implemented its contingency staffing plans, and fans can expect a full and uninterrupted ballpark experience this weekend, including access to all food, beverage, and hospitality services throughout Fenway Park. We remain hopeful that the parties will reach a swift and fair resolution.”
The Fenway Park workers authorized a strike last month. (Video below)
According to Local 26, Fenway concessions employees earn under $20 an hour, a wage that the union says is $10 less than Boston’s standard for similar jobs.
“We all want good wages, and we all want to preserve the jobs that we have,” Fenway employee Amanda Savage said.
Some fans are in support of the union.
“The message I would want to send is that everybody should have a livable, competitive wage,” Red Sox fan Judi Burten said.
“Chances are I wouldn’t cross a picket line of any kind,” another fan said.
Chris Collom, Vice President of Aramark’s Corporate Communications, said in June that the company was prepared for the strike.
“We are disappointed that the union chose to set a strike deadline, despite our ongoing willingness to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement that works for everyone. We are committed to delivering an outstanding fan experience. In the event of a strike, we have contingency plans in place to ensure that fans will not encounter service interruptions. We will continue to work with the union to try to reach an agreement,” he said.
UNITE HERE 26 is the same union that had thousands of hotel hospitality workers go on strike last fall.
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