Labor Dispute at Fenway Park: Concession Workers Go on Strike During Red Sox vs. Dodgers Game
Fenway Park Strike Disrupts Red Sox Series Against Dodgers
The Fenway Park concession workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 26, went on strike for three days (Friday through Sunday, July 25-27) during a high-profile Major League Baseball weekend series between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers. This marked the first strike at Fenway Park in its 113-year history.
The union's demands centered around better wages, improved working conditions, and protections against automation. Workers highlighted pay disparities compared to similar jobs at Boston University and other ballparks. The union opposes attempts to replace workers with automated ordering systems and reduce staffing levels, aiming to preserve job security and income.
The strike disrupted food and beverage service inside Fenway Park, with fans reporting significant service difficulties such as lack of vendors offering items like peanuts and hot dogs, and delays due to workers leaving stations. Despite the strike, Aramark, the concessionaire, stated it had contingency staffing plans to ensure no service interruptions for fans during the homestand.
The Red Sox maintained that they were not part of the negotiations but hoped for a fair resolution. Aramark expressed disappointment that the union chose to strike despite the company's willingness to bargain in good faith. The company claimed to have made a recent offer rejected by the union and emphasized its commitment to delivering an outstanding fan experience with contingency staffing plans in place.
The strike ended Sunday night, July 27, but the union left open the possibility of future strikes if no agreement is reached. The union emphasized that this labor issue affects the Boston community's ability to sustain living in the city and urged Fenway Park leadership to intervene.
Aramark has yet to reach a resolution with the union. In April 2025, new six-year contracts were agreed upon at each of the city's Aramark serviced major sports venues. Fans are reminded that they cannot bring in cans, bottles, or glass containers, but they can bring in sealed 16-oz. plastic bottles of water from outside Fenway Park. Outside alcohol is not allowed and hard-sided coolers are prohibited at Fenway Park, as is the case for every major league stadium.
- The union's demands for better wages and improved working conditions in the commerce industry, such as Fenway Park, go beyond the confines of sports, as they aim to address financial security and job preservation for people, an issue relevant not only to sports betting but also to other businesses and industries.
- The disruption caused by the strike at Fenway Park highlights the integral role that concession workers play in the overall sports experience, including the sales of hot dogs, peanuts, and other merchandise, which often contribute to the revenue and profit margins of teams and the sports industry at large.
- As the union and Aramark continue negotiations, there are potential implications for the future of sports-betting operations within Fenway Park, particularly if automation becomes a point of contention in the discussions, as the union has expressed its opposition to such measures.
