Stadium Standoff: Aramark Workers Strike at Philadelphia’s Sports Meccas
Aramark workers strike at Philly stadiums, demanding better wages and healthcare. Fans are urged to boycott concessions as major events loom.
As the crack of the bat echoes through Citizens Bank Park and fans file into the Wells Fargo Center, something is amiss in the heart of Philadelphia’s sports complex. The usual buzz of concession stands and the aroma of ballpark fare are noticeably absent. Why? Because the backbone of the stadium experience—the workers who serve, clean, and keep the games running smoothly—have reportedly taken to the picket lines.
Aramak strike: What are the demands?
On September 23, 2024, Unite Here Local 274, the union representing a diverse workforce at Philadelphia’s three major sports venues, announced a strike affecting Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field, and Wells Fargo Center (via CBS News).
This labor action, which officially began early Monday (September 30), involves cooks, servers, bartenders, concessions workers, cleaners, and more—all demanding better working conditions from their employer, Aramark.
The union’s key demands include:
- Family-sustaining wage increases
- Improved health care coverage
- Aggregation of hours worked across multiple stadiums to determine health care eligibility
“Just because we’re on strike, don’t not come enjoy the game,” Tarell Martin, a striking worker, told CBS News. “Come enjoy the game, come enjoy the event—just tailgate or eat before you come. Boycott Aramark.”
Why now?
The timing of the strike is crucial, coinciding with the Philadelphia Phillies’ final homestand of the regular season. While the Phillies assured fans that “all games at Citizens Bank Park this week will be played, and concessions will be open,” the atmosphere is likely to be different.
Aramark, for its part, claims to have “bargained in good faith” for over six months. Company spokesperson Debbie Albert stated, “We have contingency plans in place for any future strikes and will remain focused on delivering a high-quality guest and fan experience.”
The strike has drawn attention from local politicians, with Pennsylvania State Sen. Sharif Street joining picketers at Wells Fargo Center. “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 commented.
As the strike continues, it raises questions about the future of stadium work in Philadelphia. Tiffani Davis, an Aramark concessions worker, pointedly remarked, “Before we even talk about building a new arena, we need to make sure that stadium food service jobs are good jobs.”
With upcoming events at all three venues—from Phillies games to concerts by Maxwell and Charli XCX—the pressure is mounting on both sides to reach an agreement. As Philadelphia’s sports fans navigate this labor dispute, they’re faced with a choice: to buy that hot dog or not to buy? The answer could shape the future of stadium work in the City of Brotherly Love.
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