Fears over further Fenway Park chaos after workers go on strike for first time in 113 years at historic MLB ballpark
FENWAY Park staff went on strike for the first time in the venue’s 113-year history over the weekend.
Concession workers have been locked in a dispute with Fenway Park’s food service provider Aramark regarding their pay.
ReutersFenway Park staff went on strike over the weekend[/caption]
Staff are campaigning to receive Boston’s citywide-standard wage.
Union Unite Here Local 26 have been in negotiations with Aramark, but as of Friday had not reached a deal.
This prompted a mass strike, just ahead of the Boston Red Sox‘s three-game home stand against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The strike lasted three days, coming to an end on Sunday evening.
In the meantime Red Sox bosses made alternative arrangements, although Unite Here Local 26 urged fans to avoid buying food and drink at Fenway.
In a further statement, the union wrote on Facebook, “We are the Fenway family — we walk out together, we win together!
“Workers at Fenway Park and MGM Music Hall at Fenway are On Strike to win a grand slam of a contract!
“Fenway pays workers peanuts, and we’re out here to change that.”
Lauren Casello has worked at Fenway Park for the last 22 seasons.
In a statement last week, she said, “I’m focused on fighting for the back-of-house workers. They do so much work, but are getting under $20 an hour.
“They need a huge raise!”
Another point of contention has been the gradual introduction of electronic kiosks.
The machines can dispense beer and popcorn with no need for human workers.
Union Unite Here Local 26 claim that such kiosks can negatively affect the fan experience, in addition to taking jobs.
Bernie Sanders has thrown his weight behind the workers.
The veteran US senator, 83, has written a public letter to Aramark CEO John Zillmer and Red Sox owner John W. Henry.
An excerpt read, “If Aramark can afford to pay you $18.7 million in compensation and provide nearly $100 million in dividends for your wealthy shareholders, it can afford to pay all of your workers a living wage and not threaten to take away their jobs and their income with faceless Mashgin touchscreen computers.”
Fenway Sports Group, who also own Liverpool in the Premier League, have said that they hope for a “swift and fair resolution” between the union and Aramark in the near future.
The Red Sox went 2-1 during the home stand with the Dodgers.
They are now 57-51 on the season, placing them third in the American League East.
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