Aramark workers strike at all three Philadelphia sports stadiums
Aramark employees at Philadelphia’s three sports stadiums went on strike just as the Phillies clinched a postseason berth and the Eagles’ season was a few weeks into its start.
PHILADELPHIA — Just as the Phillies clinched a postseason berth and the Eagles’ season was a few weeks into its run, Aramark workers at all three Philadelphia sports stadiums went on strike.
Unite Here Local 274, a union representing cooks, concession workers, cleaners and others, was on a picket line at the South Philadelphia sports complex on Sunday.
They argue Aramark is evading benefits by transferring employees between the three stadiums and are seeking improved pay and health care benefits.
“When we talk about building a new arena, we should first talk about what jobs there are in the existing arena,” said organizing committee chairman Ryan Nissim Sabat.
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Aramark said it has been “negotiating in good faith” with Unite Here Local 274 for the past six months, but its last proposal was rejected without a counterproposal.
“Five weeks after the union rejected our proposal, they have chosen to strike without making any substantive change in their position,” Aramark said.
“We look forward to the support from our Philadelphia fans who understand that it is Aramark members who are providing meals and frontline services,” Nissim Sabato said.
Aramark says it has contingency plans in place to deal with a union strike.
The Phillies open a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs on Monday night, while the Eagles face the Browns at the Linc on Oct. 13.
