Fenway Park workers are ready to strike
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A hot dog vendor hawks Fenway Franks. Photo: Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images
More than 700 Aramark concession workers at Fenway Park and MGM Music Hall are ready to walk off the job over disputes with the Red Sox concessions contractor over pay, tips and self-checkout kiosks.
Why it matters: A union action would be the ballpark's first strike in its 113-year history.
- Fans would have to decide if they want their Fenway Frank handed to them by a temporary non-union worker.
Driving the news: 95% of Unite Here Local 26 workers approved a strike authorization earlier this month and have been preparing to take action if negotiations with Aramark, the contractor that handles the Sox' food and beverage sales, fall through.
- Union leadership can call a strike at any time.
- The workers' contract expired at the end of last year and negotiators have been at the table ever since.
The union says the dispute is about wage disparities at one of baseball's most expensive venues.
- They say workers earn significantly less than their counterparts at other stadiums while serving some of the priciest hot dogs and beer in the majors.
- Fenway cashiers earn $18.52 an hour. Cashiers at Miami's Marlins Park take in $21.25 an hour, according to the union.
- A Fenway beer costs more than double what it does in Miami.
If a strike happens, the union will picket around the park, but won't prevent fans from getting to the game.
- According to Fenway workers, a strike would mean longer concession lines, slower service and potential delivery disruptions at the park.
- Striking workers will ask fans not to purchase food or beverages inside the ballpark.
- Fans "should be prepared for very long lines and inadequate service," Gail Bonica, a premium seating area attendant, told Axios.
Zoom in: Workers' biggest concern is automated self-service kiosks and reduced tipping opportunities.
What they're saying: "I personally made half as much as I made the first year, and then this year, I'm on track to make half of what I made last year," Amanda Savage, an 18-year veteran Fenway vendor, told Axios.
The other side: Aramark says it has contingency plans to maintain services at Fenway.
- "We intend to keep working with the union toward a settlement that works for everyone," a company spokesperson told Axios.
As for the Red Sox organization, which owns the team and the ballpark, they're staying out of the public fray.
- A spokesperson for Fenway Sports told Axios to direct all questions to Aramark, even questions about how a strike could affect the Red Sox and their fans.