Aramark workers strike at all 3 Philadelphia sports stadiums

PHILADELPHIA - Aramark workers at all three Philadelphia sports stadiums have gone on strike, just as the Phillies clinched a post-season berth and weeks into the Eagles' season.

Unite Here Local 274 – the union that represents cooks, concession workers, cleaners, and more – hit the picket lines on Sunday at the South Philly sports complex.

They're asking for improved pay and healthcare benefits, arguing that Aramark has dodged the benefits by having Aramark employees shift between three stadiums, Wells Fargo Center, Citizen's Bank Park and the Lincoln Financial Field. 

"When we talk about building a new arena, we should first talk about what type of jobs there are at the arenas that exist," Organizing Director Ryan Nissim-Sabat said.

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Aramark said they have "bargained in good faith" with Unite Here Local 274 over the past six months and their last offer was rejected without a counter-proposal.

"In the five-week period since the union rejected our offer, they have chosen to strike without making any substantive changes to their position," Aramark said.

"We expect support from Philadelphia fans who understand that it is our Aramark members who provide the food and front line service," Nissim-Sabat said.

Aramark says they have contingency plans in place to handle the union's strike.

The Phillies will host the Chicago Cubs for three games starting Monday night. The Eagles won't have their next game at The Linc until Oct. 13 against the Browns.

On Monday at Broad and Pattison, in the heart of Philly’s sports complex, striking concession workers raised a racket for what they say are fair wages and healthcare.

FOX 29's Jeff Cole spoke to workers like Tiffani Davis, a cashier and cook with eight years on the job.

"I think I’m fairly underpaid. I don’t make that much here. We’re actually dependent on our fans to give us money cause they’re giving us tips off the tipline," said Davis. 

"They need to see we’re serious, serious in all 3 buildings. Aramark workers at the Linc, the ballpark and the Wells Cargo Center have said enough is enough. We need family-sustaining wages and healthcare," said Rosslyn Wuchinich, Union President. 

The union says the cooks, bartenders and dishwashers earn under 15-bucks and hour at Wells Fargo and 17 at Citizens Bank. They want to push wages to 20 dollars an hour and make more workers eligible for health benefits. 

"I would like to see this get settled in a way the teams, the fans can do well, and they get paid. I’m confident Aramark knows what to do," said Senator Sharif Street/(D).

The union is urging fans to enjoy the games, but not a beer or hot dog. 

After the Phillies won against the Chicago cubs, clinching their first NL East win since 2011, Aramark released the following statement: 

"Hundreds of stadium food service workers employed by Aramark began their strike before dawn this morning. The strike was authorized by an overwhelming majority of UNITE HERE Local 274 members. Aramark employs over one thousand bartenders, concession stand attendants and other food service workers at Citizens Bank Park, Wells Fargo Center and Lincoln Financial Field.Since the strike was also preemptively sanctioned by Teamsters Joint Council No. 53, the delivery drivers represented by the Teamsters union lawfully refused to make deliveries to Aramark at the stadiums.Many Phillies fans brought their own food into the stadiums in clear plastic bags, tailgated accordingly and/or bought food from vendors outside of the stadium. The union is not asking fans to skip stadium events but rather to honor their strike by boycotting all of Aramark’s operations at the stadiums.The Strike will continue through the night until further notice."