Updated: April 10, 10 a.m.
SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Aramark workers at the Wells Fargo Center went on a one-day strike Tuesday. They picketed ahead of and during Tuesday night’s Sixers home game, urging attendees not to buy concessions as they continue their fight for better pay and health benefits.
Workers and union organizers with Unite Here Local 274 started to picket at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, close to the entrance to NRG Station, before dawn.
“The workers are very upset. They’re tired of it,” said Carlton Epps, a concessions bartender at the arena. “We have people who have been working for this company for 20 years but still don’t make $20 an hour. [Philadelphia] is Aramark’s home, and this is how they treat the citizens.”
A big issue, according to the union, is that there are many workers like Epps who work at all three venues at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, but Aramark counts the hours worked at each building separately, leaving many without health care benefits. The union is arguing for one regulated contract for employees at all three stadiums.
Samantha Spector, a club attendant, server and bartender at all three venues, said she has to work a full-time job that offers insurance on top of her work at the sports complex.
“I’m a single mom. She’s 17. I need to make sure she’s covered, so her health is before mine,” Spector said.
Fred Motley’s son is also 17. “But at 2 ½, [he] experienced an aneurysm and had a stroke,” said Motley, a grill cook. “It’s a shame that I have to choose between making sure the rent is paid or making sure he gets the therapy he needs.”
“We want it to just be regulated,” added worker Tiffani Davis. “There’s so much confusion going from building to building to building and different money, different responsibilities.”
Hundreds of workers voted to authorize a strike in March. The union raised the possibility that it would call for a work stoppage during the hectic WrestleMania weekend. Instead, the strike went into effect before the Sixers game Tuesday night against the Detroit Pistons.
At the subway stop, union members asked fans to show their support by not purchasing food at the arena. David Eckert, from West Chester, planned ahead. He purposely ate before the game.
“People deserve health insurance,” he said. “That’s the core of this. And people also need to work more than a few hours. … People need full-time jobs with health care.”
In a statement to KYW Newsradio, Aramark said it "remains committed to bargaining in good faith to reach a settlement that works for all parties."
"Unfortunately, the union and its members have elected to commence a strike," the statement continues. "Aramark has contingency plans in place to ensure our services are not interrupted and that the fan experience remains strong.”
Unite Here Local 274 said Tuesday’s demonstration was a one-day strike, at least for now. Union officials plan to talk with Aramark later this week.