Fenway Concession Workers Rally Amid Stalled Contract Talks

Concession workers at Fenway Park, represented by UNITE HERE Local 26, are protesting over stalled contract negotiations with the Boston Red Sox. The talks have been ongoing for nine months since their contract expired in December 2024.

Dozens of workers from UNITE HERE Local 26 got together in Fenway's concourse and marched through the ballpark on Saturday, Sept. 13, during a key Red Sox series against the New York Yankees. 

The rally comes following a three-day strike held earlier during the summer during the Red Sox's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. During that strike, workers encouraged fans not to buy concessions from the park to show solidarity with the employees. 

The workers, earning between $18 and $22 an hour, are demanding higher wages and better job security, arguing their pay is not competitive with similar jobs in the area. While they express pride in their service at Fenway, the workers point to financial hardships caused by Aramark's wage practices, which they say are lower than wages paid to similar concessions workers at Boston University and other ballparks.

In a statement, Aramark has stated its commitment to negotiating a fair contract but has not provided a timeline for when negotiations will resume.

“We're respectfully asking John Henry [the Red Sox's principal owner] to pay attention to what's happening to the workers who make Fenway run,” said Ron Noel, a stand manager for more than 20 years, in a statement shared with NBC10 Boston. “We're so proud to be part of every game and every fan experience. We're just asking to be treated with dignity.”