Fenway workers prepare to strike as soon as Friday
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Fenway's concession workers could go on strike early as noon Friday — a first in the baseball stadium's 113 years.
Why it matters: Unionized workers who handle concession stands, merch and concerts at Fenway Park and MGM Music Hall say they're not paid enough to afford to stay in the Boston area, and they are prepared to walk off the job if their demands for wage increases and other protections aren't met.
Catch up quick: Contract negotiations between UNITE HERE Local 26 and Aramark, the third-party vendor that employs the concession and concert workers, have dragged on since the workers' contract expired in December.
- The union claims Aramark refuses to consider wage increases, better work schedules based on seniority, restrictions on automation and other demands.
The latest: Organizers said Wednesday at noon that they are giving Aramark 48 hours to produce a new labor contract or else unionized Fenway workers will go on strike.
- That means those workers would be absent Friday night, Saturday and Sunday when the Red Sox play the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The other side: Chris Collom, an Aramark spokesperson, said in a statement to Axios that the company has "contingency plans" to keep business going during the strike.
- "We are disappointed that the union chose to set a strike deadline, despite our ongoing willingness to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement that works for everyone," Collom said.
- "We will continue to work with the union to try to reach an agreement."
Earlier that day, more than four dozen workers sent a letter to John Henry and Fenway Sports Group asking them to "tell Aramark to bring reasonable proposals to the table that recognize our value."
What they're saying: "This isn't just a labor issue. … It's about whether the people who serve the hot dogs, pour the beer, and welcome the fans can afford to keep living in the city we love," the letter states.
- U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont sent a letter last week asking Henry and Aramark CEO John Zillmer to "bargain in good faith."
So far, Henry has not weighed in on the dispute.