Concession workers at Boston’s Fenway Park and nearby MGM Music Hall have begun a strike, with no last-minute deal reached in their negotiations with Aramark.
UNITE HERE Local 26 had set a noon deadline for an agreement in their contract negotiations. Picket lines are due to be up during the Red Sox’ game against the reigning MLB champion Los Angeles Dodgers Friday night.
The game will still be on, if storms don’t postpone it following an extremely hot day in Boston, but the union is asking fans who go to avoid buying concessions. The strike is planned through Sunday’s game.
Workers are asking for a higher salary, increased tips for premium workers, scheduling that respects workers’ seniority and guardrails on automation. These have been their demands for about the last seven months, which is when their previous contract with the food and beverage company ended.
Aramark said Friday it’s been bargaining in good faith and disappointed that the union chose to strike.
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“We are committed to delivering an outstanding fan experience and have contingency plans in place to ensure fans will not encounter service interruptions,” the company’s statement said.
A Red Sox statement noted that the team isn’t a party to the negotiations between UNITE HERE Local 26 and Aramark, but said the company told them that they’d made a new offer Thursday night, which was rejected.
“Aramark has implemented its contingency staffing plans, and fans can expect a full and uninterrupted ballpark experience this weekend, including access to all food, beverage, and hospitality services throughout Fenway Park. We remain hopeful that the parties will reach a swift and fair resolution,” the Sox statement said.
