Aramark faces trouble at Phillies & Penguins Stadiums

UNITE HERE represents workers in the U.S. and Canada in:

September 20, 2011

On Septemember 18, Aramark workers at Citizens Bank Park voted 515 to 275 to reject the company's final contract offer, setting the stage for a public dispute just as the Phillies clinched the NL East.On September 19, Aramark workers at Consol Energy Center voted 273 to 28 to reject Aramark's contract offer, just as the Pittsburgh Penguins season begins on September 21. The disputes center around three issues: wages, benefits, and opportunity to work. (Click here to read the press release.)

"When I started out here, I didn't have kids and I could find a second job. Now I have kids to support and finding work is harder than ever because of the recession," said Briheem Douglas, a concessions worker. "Working at Citizens Bank Park isn't just a side job for me. I depend on the wages I earn to support my family."

"When we have a long homestand Aramark won't let me work every game. I lose a full game's worth of tips, which adds up," said Denise Pane, a suites attendant at CBP. "I love serving the fans of the greatest team on the planet, and I'm standing up for a contract that lets me work every game."

"Last year I worked more, but I earned less than the year before. And now Aramark wants to cut our gratuity, which means each worker would lose an estimated $1,500 a year. Aramark can do better," said Jay Szewczyk, suite attendant at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh.

Click here to tell Aramark to treat its workers fairly at Citizens Bank Park!

UNITE HERE represents stadium workers who prepare and sell food, drinks, and merchandise in the stands, suites, and seats. This includes 1,500 Aramark workers at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, and 600 Aramark workers at Consol Arena in Pittsburgh. Across North America, UNITE HERE represents 250,000 stadium, food service, hotel, airport, and gaming workers, including approximately 6,000 in Philadelphia and 2,500 in Pittsburgh.