BOSTON — Hundreds of food and drink workers at Fenway Park and MGM Music Hall walked off the job at noon on Friday, just hours before the first pitch was scheduled to be thrown in a big weekend series between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Aramark workers here at Fenway Park say time is up. Nearly a thousand workers set to walk off the job ahead of the Dodgers series. What they are asking for? Better wages and automation protection. Stay with @boston25 pic.twitter.com/7A1tBSFEPz
— Elly Morillo (@ellymorillotv) July 25, 2025
About 1,000 Aramark service workers represented by Unite Local 26 are demanding better wages and protection against automation.
On Wednesday, the union gave Aramark a 48-hour deadline to meet their demands, which include concerns that self-checkout options could impact the traditional Fenway experience.
BREAKING NEWS at America’s Most Beloved Ballpark: As of 12 noon today, @Aramark workers @fenwaypark and @MGMMusicHallworkers are ON STRIKE for the entire @RedSox vs @Dodgers homestand! #OnStrike pic.twitter.com/0WGkwbqMDf
— UNITE HERE Local 26 (@UNITEHERE26) July 25, 2025
“I am surprised it came to this,” UNITE HERE Local 26 president Carlos Aramayo said, “I thought we could get to an agreement. Our committee was certainly ready to negotiate. We are not anywhere near an agreement. I think Aramark pushed us into this situation and so we’re going to make this the most powerful strike we possibly can.”
Union representatives argue that self-checkout options could lead to safety issues, such as the potential for alcohol to be sold to minors or for patrons to be overserved.
“Aramark and Fenway have put in place automated technology that is taking away our jobs and, frankly, making the park less safe. Making alcohol potentially available to minors, making alcohol potentially available to folks who are going to be overserved,” Aramayo said.
“We feel like we weren’t being heard,” said Stand Manager in Concessions Madeline Rivera. “We’re being overworked, doing jobs that are not in our job description, and we’re not getting respected.”
In a statement in response to the move to strike, Aramark said, “We are disappointed that the union chose to set a strike deadline, despite our ongoing willingness to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement that works for everyone. We are committed to delivering an outstanding fan experience.”
“I didn’t want to strike; nobody wants to lose out on money,” Rivera added, “but this is the only way that they would listen to us.”
Red Sox fans attending this weekend’s homestand against the defending World Series champions are being asked by the union not to purchase food or drinks inside the park until a deal is reached.
Pictures were captured a few hours before Friday night’s game, showing empty food stands on Jersey Street.
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Aramark has stated that they have contingency plans in place to ensure that fans will not encounter service interruptions.
The Red Sox organization is monitoring the situation, although they are not directly involved in the negotiations.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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