Fenway Park workers file labor complaint, claiming retaliation against union members
The union representing Fenway Park concession staff has filed a labor complaint against employer Aramark, claiming that the company retaliated against employees for participating in a July strike and other union activities.
In the complaint , filed with the National Labor Relations Board on Sept. 18, UNITE HERE Local 26 accused Aramark management at Fenway of cutting or changing hours, "interrogating" and video recording employees, instructing workers to take off hats with the union logo and adding additional staff to "dilute the tip pool."
"It's just another thing to add to the fight," Natalie Greening, a beer seller and union member who has worked at Fenway for 20 years, said in an interview. "We've had two bargaining sessions so far and they (Aramark) haven't come to the table with anything."
In a statement Thursday morning, a spokesperson for Aramark said the company had not yet received all of the grievances submitted by the union but was "confident our managers did not engage in any retaliatory conduct during or after the strike."
"We are disappointed that the Union has chosen to file frivolous grievances and then tout them to the media rather than putting effort into negotiating a settlement that works for all," they said.
The spokesperson said one person was disciplined after the strike, due to "behavior that was so egregious it violated both ours and the union's zero tolerance policies." The spokesperson did not share what that behavior was.
Separately, Aramark also suspended a 50-year employee, Peter Dankens, based on unnamed allegations from a stadium visitor after the strike, according to the company. The union, however, claims Dankens' suspension was retaliation for his active role in the strike, which included having his name and face on baseball cards the union printed to distribute to fans.
Dankens is among the highest-seniority employees, Greening said, which means he is given first priority for shifts. Despite this, he has always been supportive of coworkers, especially those who do not have the same privileges.
"He's the person who shows up to every meeting and every protest to stand up for people," she said.
The company stated that Dankens was reinstated following an investigation.
According to UNITE HERE's filing, in April, a supervisor interfered with union representatives speaking to members, saying, "No one wants to talk to you here. Everyone here knows that if they do the union thing, they will be fired." They then said, "I'm about to take my badge off and go out of this stand and work this out with you."
On another occasion, a concessions supervisor took a video of employees engaged in union activities, and when questioned, said his manager told him to do so, the union said.
UNITE HERE also accused Aramark of refusing to provide bargaining-related information since May 30.
Fenway employees and their fellow union members at neighboring MGM Music Hall have been working without a contract since the beginning of this year, according to the union. They are seeking higher wages, limits on automation, fair scheduling and increased gratuities for the workers who serve season ticket holders and other "premium" attendees.
During the July 25 to 27 strike, when around 1,000 employees walked off the job, the union asked people not to purchase food or beverages within Fenway Park. The union has since threatened a second strike , but has not announced any concrete plans.
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