Oracle Park concession workers and the San Francisco Giants’ food service contractor Bon Appétit Management have reached a new labor agreement, which will avoid a strike just days before the team hosts its first playoff series in five years – expected to be the most anticipated and well attended games of the season.
The new deal, announced on Wednesday by the union "UNITE HERE Local 2," ensures that the Giants will improve COVID-19 safety measures around the ballpark and provide better health care and increased wages to food service workers.
Prior to the agreement, 96.7% of workers had authorized a strike and many workers were taking steps in anticipation of a stoppage. However, the deal will avert a strike just before the playoffs,
The workforce is expected officially ratify the deal with a vote scheduled for Thursday.
"Workers were ready to strike, got organized, were ready for picket duties and now won a deal that’s really going to change lives," Ted Waechter, organizer with UNITE HERE Local 2, told KCBS Radio.
The contract, which covers around 950 people, comes following weeks of negotiations between the union and Bon Appétit, the food service company subcontracted by the Giants. The dispute centered over low wages, a lack of healthcare benefits and poor fan adherence to COVID safety protocols.
Under current Oracle Park protocols, fans are not required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test for admission into the park, however they are required to wear masks when they approach concessions or merchandise stands.
According to the union, 20 concession workers have tested positive for the virus this season, and many fans did not follow the mask guidelines.
The team had also previously authorized a strike for a series against the rival Dodgers earlier this month, however they decided against the stoppage.
The new agreement, which runs through 2024, includes a commitment from the Giants to reinforce mask requirements and other COVID safety rules, provide affordable family healthcare to all workers, immediate wage increase of $3 per hour and $7 per hour by 2024, hazard pay bonus for the pandemic influenced seasons of 2020 and 2021, increased pension benefits and more.
"My team and I are pleased that contract negotiations proceeded to a successful conclusion," Fedele Bauccio, CEO of Bon Appétit, said through a release. "As a company, we have always strived to offer the best possible work environment and benefits for our employees and to work collaboratively with union representatives. I am glad that Oracle Park will continue to be a desirable workplace for our employees."
"Bon Appétit really was a partner to us in creating safe, family sustaining jobs and I think stepped up to be an industry leader in that regard," Waechter said.
He added that this will be the first raise workers receive since 2018.
The union is still calling on the Giants to mandate fans show proof of inoculation or a negative test, which park employees are required to do. Waechter called this step “a critical piece” towards a safer environment for the food service workers.
The Giants are in the midst of their final homestand of the year, which ends, along with the regular season, on Sunday. Their first playoff game could be as early as next Wednesday.
Related
