April 09, 2024
Kristianna Brown/Unite Here Local 274
Aramark concessions workers at the Wells Fargo Center have declared a one-day strike. They are asking people attending Tuesday night's Sixers game to tailgate or eat elsewhere.
Aramark workers at the Wells Fargo Center declared a one-day strike Tuesday after weeks of unsuccessful contract negotiations.
Hundreds of bartenders, concession workers, cooks, servers, dishwashers and warehouse employees employed by Aramark went on strike before dawn and will continue through the end of the 76ers game being played Tuesday night at the arena. The workers, who are represented by the Unite Here Local 274 union, authorized a strike in late March and gained City Council support last week.
The workers will be picketing outside the Wells Fargo Center throughout the day. In a statement, the union asked fans attending the Sixers game to tailgate or eat elsewhere instead of purchasing concessions from Aramark.
Aramark said it has contingency plans in the event of a strike, but didn't provide details on what that plan was.
"Aramark remains committed to bargaining in good faith to reach a settlement that works for all parties. Unfortunately, the union and its members have elected to commence a strike," said Aramark spokesperson Chris Collom. "Aramark has contingency plans in place to ensure our services are not interrupted and that the fan experience remains strong."
The union authorized a strike in March, with 92% of workers voting in favor. The workers are seeking higher wages and full-time benefits. Aramark workers often work at all three sports complex venues – Wells Fargo Center , Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field – but their hours at each venue are counted separately. As a result, many of them work full-time but don't have health care benefits.
Aramark concessions worker Fred Motley speaks at a briefing last week outside City Hall. Multiple councilmembers showed up to support workers.
"Aramark employees at the South Philly Sports Complex are there on the hottest days of the summer, the coldest days of the winter and everyday in-between," said state Sen. Nikil Saval (D-District 1) at last week's briefing. "They do year-round work and Aramark needs to meet the demands of its workers."
Fred Motley, who works concessions at all three stadiums, is a 10-year Aramark employee and caretaker for his son, who simultaneously suffered a stroke and aneurysm.
"I really don't want to decide between paying rent and paying for therapy for my son," Motley said last week. "It shouldn't be this way. With a company as large as Aramark, we shouldn't have to struggle to afford basic health care necessities. We need family-sustaining wage increases."
Aramark is also in negotiations for new collective bargaining agreements at the other two venues.
