PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia City Council members on Thursday pledged support for concessions and hospitality workers based at Wells Fargo Center who have authorized a strike if they can’t work out a contract with Philadelphia-based food services giant Aramark.
Eight City Council members attended a rally at City Hall, where members of Unite Here pressed their contract demands for family-sustaining wages and benefits such as health insurance and paid time off.
“We’re not asking for the world, just a chance to live healthy lives without constant financial worry,” said Fred Motley, who works at all three South Philly sports stadiums.
So far, only Aramark employees at Wells Fargo workers have authorized a strike.
Those like Motley, who work at all three stadiums, are essentially full-time Aramark employees, but because the company has separate contracts with workers at each stadium, they are considered part-time and not eligible for benefits.
Union president Rosslyn Wuchinich said the union is fighting to get Aramark to treat its full-time, year-round workers the way other employers do.
“We deserve these things, because we are human beings, working for a massive multinational corporation headquartered here in Philadelphia, in venues that make a tremendous profit,” Wuchinich said.
The sports complex is in Council President Kenyatta Johnson’s district. He said he will be contacting all of the stadium owners to let them know a fair contract is a priority of the councilman who represents their district.
Aramark sent an email saying the company “intends to keep working toward a settlement that works for everyone” — but if there is a strike, there are contingency plans to avoid service interruptions.
Johnson said he doesn’t think that’s possible,
“When you go to that ballgame, it’s the workers that make sure you’re enjoying your time. So they’re the backbone of the stadium special services district,” he said.