PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Unionized Aramark food service workers at Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field on Wednesday voted to reject the latest contract proposals from the company and go back to the bargaining table.
With the final tally, 98% of unionized Aramark workers at Citizens Bank Park, and 98% of unionized Aramark workers at Lincoln Financial Field, voted to reject the company's offer of 50 cents more an hour, with subsequent hourly wage increases of 50 cents annually for six years.
Aramark's offer puts the Philadelphia workers far below the industry standard, according to Unite Here Philly Local 274, the union that represents the workers. Food service workers at Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field already earn significantly less than their counterparts in other major cities.
“We need better pay,” said Alex, who voted no. “We don't only suffer, but our families that we go home to every night suffers. So we can't work for pennies and expect to support our family.”
Another worker who voted against the proposal said, “We’re living paycheck to paycheck and can barely make my rent and stuff like that. So this is dire for a lot of our employees.”
Health care is another sticking point in the contract negotiations. Many workers at Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field are without health insurance. The company's health care proposal would leave many folks uninsured or relying on government health care programs.
In late April, Aramark workers at Wells Fargo Center went on a multi-day strike after the company offered concession workers 25 cents an hour in the last round.
There is no indication at this point that a strike vote will take place at the other two stadiums.
KYW Newsradio contacted Aramark, asking for comment, and their response reads, “We are disappointed that the union has rejected our offer, but we intend to keep bargaining in good faith toward a settlement that works for everyone.”
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