Aramark workers go on strike at 3 South Philadelphia stadiums
Workers who serve food and work in retail and warehouse spaces at South Philadelphia's three sports stadiums are on strike, their union announced.
Unite Here Local 274, the union representing cooks, servers, bartenders, dishwashers, concessions workers, cleaners, retail workers and warehouse employees at Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field and Wells Fargo Center, announced the strike Sunday night. The stoppage began early Monday and includes workers from all three stadiums.
Workers from all three facilities voted to authorize the strike, which is "part of an ongoing campaign to win family-sustaining wage increases and health care coverage for stadium workers at all three stadiums," the announcement from the union said.
The union is also demanding that Aramark aggregate the hours of workers who work at multiple stadiums in the sports complex to determine their eligibility for health care and lower the threshold for eligibility, according to the announcement. Their hours at each building are counted separately now.
Workers hit the picket lines early Monday morning, and many are expected to arrive late afternoon when their shifts would start.
The union is asking fans to "boycott food and drinks from Aramark" at the three facilities, the announcement said.
"Just because we're on strike, don't not come enjoy the game. Come enjoy the game, come enjoy the event — just tailgate or eat before you come," said striking worker Tarell Martin. "Boycott Aramark."
Aramark is a Philadelphia-based company that provides concessions at the three stadiums.
In a statement, Aramark spokesperson Debbie Albert said the company "has bargained in good faith with Unite Here Local 274 for over six months. In the five-week period since the union rejected our offer, they have chosen to strike without making any substantive changes to their position. They continue to engage in non-productive tactics choosing to strike again and continuing to seek a boycott of Aramark's services."
"Going forward, we intend to continue to bargain in good faith for the benefit of all involved. It is our sincere hope that the union will do the same," Albert said in the statement. "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."
Pennsylvania State Sen. Sharif Street joined a group of picketers at Wells Fargo Center Monday.
"I would like to see this get settled in a way where the teams and the fans can do well and that they can get paid," Street said. "I'm confident that Aramark knows what to do."
The Phillies are scheduled to play the Chicago Cubs on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park, their final homestand of the regular season.
The Phillies said in a statement, "The Phillies hope this labor dispute is resolved quickly. All games at Citizens Bank Park this week will be played, and concessions will be open."
The Eagles' next home game is Oct. 13, but Temple University will play Army at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday. The Eagles had no comment on the strike.
Singer-songwriter Maxwell is set to perform at Wells Fargo Center Tuesday, and Charli XCX and Troye Sivan are scheduled to play the arena Wednesday. The Flyers have a preseason game at home Thursday against the New York Islanders.
"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 all three buildings, in a statement from the union.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced Wednesday that the city had reached an agreement with the 76ers for the construction of a controversial new arena in Center City.
In June, Aramark workers protested outside Aramark's headquarters, briefly shutting down the Market Street Bridge. Workers also struck in April, refusing to work two Sixers games at Wells Fargo Center.