Red Sox team owner critiqued fiercely by Senator Chris Murphy amid Fenway Park food service employees' strike, with Murphy stating, "It's disgusting."
Fenway Park Concession Workers Continue Strike Amid Ongoing Negotiations
Fenway Park, the historic home of the Boston Red Sox, has been the site of a significant labor dispute in recent weeks. A three-day strike by concession workers, led by UNITE HERE Local 26, took place from July 25 to 27, marking the first-ever strike in the ballpark's 113-year history.
The strike has been prompted by concerns over low wages and job security, with workers earning under $20 per hour, about $10 less than the typical wage for similar jobs in Boston citywide. The union has voiced concerns about whether workers can afford to keep living in the city, and ensuring Fenway Park continues to be a place of pride for how it treats its workers.
The concession workers are not employed by the Red Sox, but by Aramark, the ballpark's concessions company. The Red Sox are not a party to the negotiations between Aramark and Local 26. Despite the strike, the Red Sox are currently on the road against the Minnesota Twins but return for a six-game homestand on Friday.
Aramark has stated that they have bargained in good faith and are disappointed that the union rejected their latest offer and chose to call a strike. They have also stated that they are committed to delivering an outstanding fan experience and have contingency plans in place to ensure fans will not encounter service interruptions.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) has expressed concern about the wages being paid to workers at Fenway Park and criticized Red Sox owner John Henry. However, it is important to note that the Red Sox are not a party to the negotiations between Aramark and Local 26.
The strike has gained significant attention, given Fenway Park’s large financial scale. Red Sox games draw about 33,000 fans per game, generating millions in revenue, highlighting the stark contrast between the profits and the workers’ wages.
The union has stated that the concessionaire is trying to pay bottom dollar and is not willing to deal with technology issues, which undermines the quality of the park. Union officials have also sent a letter to Red Sox owner John Henry, stating that the workers' strike is not just a labor issue, but a community issue.
The strike has impacted staff who work as cooks, barbacks, souvenir vendors, utility workers, cashiers, and other workers at the ballpark and nearby music venue. The union's spokesperson clarified that the workers' move to strike is not a show of disrespect toward the baseball team or the fans, but a situation with the concessionaire.
As of early August 2025, no new contract has been reached, and workers are warning of the possibility of a second strike. The situation remains unresolved with active worker organizing and union pressure continuing.
[1] Boston Globe, "Fenway Park concession workers strike for third day", July 27, 2025. [2] CBS Boston, "Fenway Park Concession Workers On Strike", July 26, 2025. [3] WCVB, "Fenway Park concession workers strike for second day", July 26, 2025. [4] Boston Herald, "Fenway Park concession workers strike", July 25, 2025.
- Despite the ongoing negotiations between Aramark and UNITE HERE Local 26, the ongoing strike by concession workers at Fenway Park, the historic home of the Boston Red Sox, could potentially disrupt the fan experience during upcoming MLB games.
- Union officials and workers at Fenway Park have expressed their concerns about the concessionaire's willingness to invest in technology and fear that this lack of investment could negatively impact the quality of services during baseball games, including those of the MLB.
