Crimson Sox followers are being requested to purchase meals and drinks outdoors of Fenway earlier than turning out for video games, as ballpark concession staff are able to take to the picket line.
Aramark staff and members of UNITE HERE Native 26 will announce their strike dates on Wednesday, earlier than the Crimson Sox return house on Friday to tackle the Dodgers this weekend.
This comes after Aramark staff at Fenway Park and MGM Music Corridor voted by 95% to authorize a strike final month. The union represents cashiers, cooks, barbacks, memento distributors, utility staff, and different workers on the park and its neighboring music venue.
“Since then, hundreds of workers have signed up for strike benefits and dozens have been trained as picket captains,” the union said on Tuesday. “Aramark and the Union didn’t make important progress in the direction of an settlement throughout their newest bargaining session, which happened final week.
“As a result,” it added, “Fenway workers are ready to go on strike for the first time in the 113-year-old history of America’s favorite ballpark.”
Employees say they’re “fighting” for 4 “key demands” of their contract, which expired on Dec. 31, 2024. They embrace elevated wages, “guardrails on automation,” higher tipping for Premium staff, who serve season ticket holders and particular visitors, and scheduling that “respects workers’ seniority.”
Union president Carlos Aramayo has highlighted how Native 26 lodge staff gained raises that elevated hourly pay $10 final yr, whereas college eating staff are set to earn not less than $30 per hour by 2028.
“There’s no reason for Fenway workers to be left behind,” he said in a launch final month. “They deserve raises and respect!”
Native 26 has pointed to how a cashier earns $18.52 an hour at Fenway, the place a beer prices $10.79, whereas those that work at Marlins Park in Miami make $21.25 an hour, however beers there go for $5.14
“During the strike, UNITE HERE Local 26 is asking the public to attend games as usual,” the union said Tuesday, “but to support the strikers by not purchasing any food or drinks from inside the ballpark.”
Initially Printed:
