Hundreds of Aramark concession workers at Fenway Park have gone on strike for the first time in the ballpark's 113-year history, disrupting the start of a homestand between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The walkout began at noon on Friday after negotiations with the Local 26 union failed to reach an agreement over pay, job security, and the introduction of self-service machines.
The strike follows more than a year of contract talks, with the union citing the installation of six AI-powered Mashgin kiosks in 2023 as a major sticking point. These machines, which dispense beer and popcorn without human staff, are seen as a threat to jobs and the fan experience. Similar technology has been adopted at 20 of 30 Major League Baseball stadiums.
US Senator Bernie Sanders weighed in, writing to Aramark CEO John Zillmer and Red Sox owner John Henry, urging them to support living wages and human interaction. 'If Aramark can afford to pay you $18.7 million in compensation and provide nearly $100 million in dividends for your wealthy shareholders, it can afford to pay all of your workers a living wage,' Sanders wrote.
Aramark expressed disappointment over the strike and said it has contingency plans to avoid service interruptions, adding that it remains willing to bargain in good faith. The union, however, has asked fans not to buy concessions inside the ballpark and to tailgate before games instead. Workers are picketing outside Fenway in green T-shirts and carrying signs.
The strike is planned to last through the weekend, with the Red Sox leaving for a road trip on Monday. Union leaders acknowledged the hardship for part-time seasonal workers but called on Henry and Fenway Sports Group to intervene and pressure Aramark for reasonable proposals.
