Aramark Workers Strike for Fair Wages at Wells Fargo Center

In South Philadelphia, food service employees at Wells Fargo Center are staging a strike in hopes of securing better terms from their employer, Aramark.

Around 400 workers, represented by Unite Here Local 274, initiated the strike at 5 a.m. on Tuesday after more than 90% of them voted to authorize such action if negotiations faltered. Their primary demands include a standard minimum wage and access to health benefits, not just for themselves but for all Aramark workers across the three major stadiums in South Philly: Wells Fargo Center, Lincoln Financial Field, and Citizens Bank Park.

This strike specifically impacts operations at Wells Fargo Center, where the Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers hold court. However, it’s worth noting that many of the affected Aramark employees also work shifts at the other stadiums, and those venues will continue to operate as usual.

A key sticking point in negotiations is healthcare coverage. Currently, only a fraction of Aramark’s Wells Fargo Center workforce enjoys year-round health insurance, while the majority are left with partial-year coverage that excludes critical services like hospital emergency care. Unite Here proposes that any employee who works a minimum of 750 hours annually across all three stadiums should be eligible for full-year health insurance, whereas Aramark has countered with a higher threshold of 1,500 hours.

The minimum wage for Aramark workers varies depending on the venue. For instance, at Wells Fargo Center, utility workers and dishwashers earn $14.11 per hour, while concession stand staff make $15.29. These rates differ slightly at Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park.

Despite the strike, tonight’s basketball game between the Sixers and the Pistons will proceed as scheduled. Unite Here has urged fans to abstain from purchasing concessions in solidarity with the striking workers, although the Wells Fargo Center prohibits outside food and drink.

While Aramark has assured fans that the strike won’t disrupt services, negotiations continue between the company and the union. Aramark, headquartered in Philadelphia, operates globally with over 260,000 employees across various sectors. Despite recent financial growth, tensions between management and labor persist, with workers determined to secure better working conditions.