South Philly stadium workers took part in a work stoppage in hopes of salary increases and employer-provided healthcare.
The demonstration occurred outside the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday as the Philadelphia 76ers hosted the Detroit Pistons. Aramark workers asked sports fans not to buy food or drinks inside the stadium in hopes of bringing attention to the union’s demands.
“I work as a concessions worker at the Wells Fargo Center,” said Aramark worker Tristan Bussiere. “I’m striking because prices keep rising at the stadium, but our wages aren’t increasing. It’s not just at the stadium. Prices are going up everywhere. I need to know that I’ll have enough money to pay for groceries, rent, bills and everything else I need. Right now, I don’t even know how much money I’ll make when I work at different stadiums because we’re not paid the same amount.”
Stadium workers believe it’s unfair that they are seen as seasonal workers despite working year-round at the stadium complex. Aramark does not offer health benefits because it separates hours and wages according to which stadium employees punch their time cards.
Aramark workers say the work stoppage is part of an escalating campaign to win family-sustaining wage increases and healthcare coverage. Building off prior victories that transformed the Aramark jobs in the South Philadelphia Stadium Complex from seasonal work to year-round jobs, the union is now fighting for these jobs to look like other year-round jobs, with healthcare and family-sustaining wages that keep up with inflation.
According to the union, Aramark reported a 15-percent revenue growth in 2023 and has continued to grow in the first quarter of 2024.
The multibillion-dollar corporation headquartered in Philadelphia, provides food and beverage service at Wells Fargo Center, Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field.
“A wage increase would mean the world to me and my family,” said Briana Postell, an Aramark concessions worker at Wells Fargo Center. “As a single mom of two kids, I juggle constant bills and everyday essentials. It would relieve the pressure of living paycheck to paycheck and ensure my kids are taken care of. I stand 100 percent behind my fellow workers in our fight for healthcare. We’ve dedicated ourselves to this company for so long and deserve the security of healthcare. We shouldn’t have to choose between paying bills and taking care of our family.”
