Fenway Park Workers Strike for Fairness During Dodgers-Red Sox Homestand: What You Need to Know

BOSTON (AP) — Vendors at Fenway Park have taken to the streets in a bold display of solidarity. They marched with drums and shouted “Don’t buy food!” ahead of the Red Sox game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hundreds of workers from Aramark, the stadium’s food service provider, displayed signs adorned with red baseball stitching, making their message clear.

This strike marks a significant moment, likely the first in Fenway’s 113-year history. Local 26 of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island hotel and food services workers union called for “living wages, guardrails on technology, and R-E-S-P-E-C-T!” as they began their strike on Friday afternoon.

The union urged fans to skip buying snacks at the game, emphasizing that while tickets are pricey, supporting vendors during this time was crucial. “Respect the picket line,” they stated, hoping to rally community support.

An Aramark representative expressed disappointment, stating that the company had negotiated in good faith and that a recent offer was rejected. They assured fans that operations would continue without disruption. According to the Red Sox, the team is not part of the negotiations but is in communication with Aramark about the situation. Despite the strike, the team reported that concessions performed well during the packed game.

Political voices have weighed in, too. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders called for the team to support its workers, highlighting the profits the Red Sox make and urging fair treatment of employees. “Fenway Park is an iconic American institution,” he wrote on social media. “The team should treat their employees with respect.”

Among the vendors is Maggie McCue, a seasoned beer seller who’s currently 24 weeks pregnant with twins. She took a moment to rest from the heat, sharing how the struggle for fair wages affects their lives. Her mother, also a vendor, echoed these feelings, expressing disappointment in the team’s lack of support for long-time employees. Many of them have invested decades in their work at Fenway Park.

This strike reflects a growing trend across the United States, where workers in various industries are increasingly voicing their demands for better pay and working conditions. Recent statistics show that labor strikes in 2022 were the highest in years, indicating a shift in workplace expectations. Workers want to be seen and heard.

As the Red Sox face the Dodgers, fans not only welcome back former star Mookie Betts but also the message that vendor voices matter. “It’s come full circle,” says McCue, emphasizing the unity and resilience of the vendors.

The ongoing negotiation highlights a broader conversation about workers’ rights in professional sports. While fans cheer for their teams, the support for those who serve them off the field is just as vital. Will there be a resolution soon? The community is watching closely.

For further insights on labor movements, visit AP News.

Source link

Aramark, Strikes, Boston Red Sox, Rhode Island, Los Angeles Dodgers, General news, Bernie Sanders, Maggie McCue, Mookie Betts, Labor, Labor unions, Baseball, CT State Wire, ME State Wire, MA State Wire, MLB, Connecticut, Massachusetts, RI State Wire, Maine, Vermont, NH State Wire, New Hampshire, VT State Wire, Business, Ted Williams, U.S. news, MLB baseball, Johnny Pesky, Sports, Bobby Doerr, Marianne McCue, U.S. News