September 23, 2024
Provided Image/Kristianna Brown
Aramark workers at Citizens Bank Park, Wells Fargo Center and Lincoln Financial Field went on strike Monday to demand better wages and health care benefits. Above, Unite Here Local 247 workers make signs during a previous strike at the Wells Fargo Center in April.
Aramark's food and beverage workers went on strike Monday at the South Philadelphia sports complex in an attempt to secure better wages and health care benefits in their next contract.
Hundreds of concessions workers, cooks, servers, bartenders, cleaners, dishwashers, retail and warehouse workers represented by the union Unite Here Local 247 say they will picket outside Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field and the Wells Fargo Center. The strike may impact several events this week, including Monday night's Phillies game.
The strike comes after Mayor Cherelle Parker endorsed plans to build a new 76ers stadium in Center City last week.
"Before we even talk about building a new arena, we need to make sure that stadium food service jobs are good jobs," said Tiffani Davis, an Aramark concessions worker at Citizens Bank Park, Wells Fargo Center and Lincoln Financial Field. "Year-round work should come with year-round benefits like health care and family sustaining wages."
Teamsters Joint Council 23, which represents food and beverage truck drivers, also sanctioned the strike, meaning its members can refuse to make deliveries to the stadiums.
The Phillies are set to begin a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night. The Wells Fargo Center has Maxwell and Charli XCX concerts scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, and a Sebastian Maniscalco comedy show Friday. The Flyers have preseason games there Thursday and Saturday. Lincoln Financial Field hosts a Temple University football game Thursday, but the Eagles don't play there until Oct. 13.
Local 247 called on fans to boycott Aramark by tailgating, eating elsewhere beforehand or, when permitted, bringing food into the stadiums. Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field allow fans to bring food in clear, plastic bags, but beer and alcohol are prohibited. The Wells Fargo Center does not permit outside food except for baby food and medically necessary items.
Aramark has separate contracts at each of the three stadiums, and all have expired. Though some union members work at all three stadiums, working 40 or more hours a week, they don't receive full-time benefits, because the deals are independent. The union is seeking a contract that aggregates workers' hours and uses the same pay rates at each venue.
In April, Aramark workers at the Wells Fargo Center held two strikes, including one that occurred during a 76ers playoff game.
In an emailed statement, Aramark said it has bargained in good faith with workers for more than six months and that the union rejected its latest offer five weeks ago without making "substantive changes" to their asks. In that offer, Aramark said, it conceded to counting hours worked across the stadiums and removed an eligibility cap, meaning employees who work at least 28 hours per week at all three stadiums would have access to health care benefits.
"Going forward, we intend to continue to bargain in good faith for the benefit of all involved," the statement said. "It is our sincere hope that the union will do the same. In the meantime, we have contingency plans in place for any future strikes and will remain focused on delivering a high-quality guest and fan experience."
