Fenway Park concession workers threaten to go back on strike

As the Red Sox remain scorching hot with their winning ways, Fenway Park concession workers say they will go back on strike if their contract negotiations stay idle.

Members of UNITE HERE Local 26 allege food service giant Aramark has failed to come to the negotiating table since the union took to the picket line in late July, during a weekend series against the Dodgers.

While employees with the union have returned to work, they are threatening that they may go back on strike if their efforts for a new contract remain fruitless.

Lauren Casello, who has worked at Fenway for 22 seasons as a full-time suite attendant, says Aramark also has not “scheduled any bargaining dates.”

“These people work so hard, they’re severely underpaid, and they do not receive tips,” Casello said of life as a ballpark worker, in a statement. “They’re not making a livable wage; they need to work two or three jobs to pay their bills.”

Aramark has not commented on where the ongoing negotiations stand and whether the union’s claims are accurate.

“We respect the right of our employees to demonstrate and look forward to continuing to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement that works for everyone,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.

Hundreds of Aramark employees gathered at Fenway ahead of Wednesday’s series-ender against the Royals, targeting company management and Fenway Sports Group.

Red Sox ownership does not own Aramark, but the union has urged the group to have its back with support as they fight for a contract.

Wednesday’s rally, inside Fenway’s so-called “big concourse,” came after the union’s bargaining committee members met last week to talk about potentially resuming the strike with negotiations at a standstill.

“They are aware that contract negotiations may stretch into the next season,” the union said in a release, “which happened with unionized stadium workers in Philadelphia, who bargained for over a year before finally reaching an agreement.”

Workers say they are “fighting” for increased wages, “guardrails on automation,” better tipping for Premium workers, who serve season ticket holders and special guests, and scheduling that “respects workers’ seniority.”

Local 26 has pointed to how a cashier earns $18.52 an hour at Fenway, where a beer costs $10.79, while those who work at Marlins Park in Miami make $21.25 an hour, but beers there go for $5.14.

The union represents cashiers, cooks, barbacks, souvenir vendors, utility workers and more at the park and next-door MGM Music Hall. It has been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2024.

“That staff is extremely important,” Red Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito has previously said. “They’re the lifeblood of the ballpark. I’ve always been a believer that no matter what your job is, you should be compensated fairly for that work.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous post Stuck astronaut Butch Wilmore retires from NASA less than 5 months after extended spaceflight
Next post Crime Briefs: Salem EMT arrested for child pornography