May 20, 2013
By Stephanie West
San Francisco, California – Concessions workers at the San Francisco Giants’ AT&T Park have authorize a strike. The 516 workers voted, approving a strike by 97%. The vote authorizes union leadership to call for any action including up to a five-day strike and a boycott of food and beverage at the park.
“We sent a clear message today to Centerplate and the Giants. The 97% gives us the power and authority we need to win a fair contract,” said Billie Feliciano, a concessions worker at Giants games since 1978.
Negotiations are at a standstill between Centerplate – the Giants’ subcontracted concessionaire – and the concession workers’ union, UNITE HERE Local 2. Workers are seeking job security through a successorship clause, along with fair wage increases and improved health care. Centerplate, on the other hand, is proposing to severely limit access to healthcare, and to maintain a wage freeze for the last three years with a 25 cent raise for 2013 as well as another 25 cent raise for 2014.
“Job security is really important to me and my family. I travel two hours to come and serve Giants fans. I really do love my job, but this vote was a landslide. With this vote, I feel confident that we are going to win this contract,” said Anthony Wendlberger.
