Author Archives for Ann Kammerer
Hundreds of dining hall workers employed by Aramark at Arizona State University walked out on strike on February 18, escalating their fight for a fair contract, safe staffing levels, and respect on the job. Workers say chronic understaffing and high turnover have pushed them to a breaking point, and wages have not kept up with the rising cost of living in the Phoenix area.
ASU dining workers include cooks, cashiers, dishwashers, baristas, and food service staff who keep dining halls running for thousands of students across multiple campuses. After months of negotiations and an overwhelming strike authorization vote, workers say they are prepared to stay on the line until Aramark agrees to a contract that addresses their core concerns.
On Thursday, February 13, Local 5 members at Hale Nani Rehab & Nursing Center reached a tentative agreement with management, averting an open-ended strike that was set to begin on February 23. In the tentative agreement, Hale Nani workers won back the hours and staffing management cut last year, affordable family healthcare, and significant wage increases.
“We fought hard to reach this tentative agreement and win a contract that provides the staffing we need to take care of our patients, along with the wages and healthcare we need to take care of our families today and tomorrow,” said Gilda Ellazar, Certified Nursing Assistant at Hale Nani. “From rallies outside of the facility to preparing to walk out on strike, our actions and determination paid off.”
Nearly 400 Culinary and Bartenders Union members working for DBE operators at Harry Reid International Airport are continuing their push for a new union contract. Workers including cooks, bartenders, servers, fast food workers, and porters; are calling for meaningful raises and strong protections for their health care benefits after going years without wage increases.
Workers say they are organized and ready to strike if needed.
In January, Local 355 members and faith leaders gathered at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport for a candlelight vigil urging the Trump Administration to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants
In a statement, the local said in part: “By ending TPS, the administration is choosing to strip legal rights from the very people who makes South Florida run. These are our coworkers, our shop stewards, and our friends.”
On February 2, a federal judge in Washington, D.C. issued an order temporarily blocking the administration’s decision. This means that for now, nearly 350,000 Haitians are able to stay in the U.S. legally.
In January, Local 17 members joined thousands of others in a protest at MSP Airport to stand against ICE in Minneapolis. Nearly 100 clergy put their bodies on the line in an act of civil disobedience, praying for our members who have been detained and holding their names and faces high.
Local 17 has continued to meet the moment powerfully through ongoing protest, organizing, and massive relief efforts to support hospitality workers afraid to leave their homes.
Union workers at the Seattle Convention Center handed out leaflets in January, raising concerns about wages that have not kept up with Seattle’s rising cost of living. Workers also say management is proposing medical plans that would increase out-of-pocket costs for some employees.
Workers are calling for a contract that reflects the real cost of living in Seattle and protects the benefits they rely on.
Food service workers employed by GM Culinary at Meta Austin cafeterias picketed for a contract with fair wages and respect.
In 2024, GM Culinary food service workers held a union election and won. Since then, the company has yet to come to the table with respectable wage proposals.
Food service workers at Orlando International Airport with Local 362 voted YES to ratify a new union contract at AREAS MCO, locking in major wins for workers. The agreement includes guaranteed wage increases twice a year, reduced employee contributions across all health plans, and a pension.
Workers also secured paid parental leave, a new paid holiday, inclement weather pay, increased life insurance, short-term disability, and more. It’s a big win that shows what’s possible when workers stand together and fight for strong standards on the job.
Nearly 90 workers at Craig’s Cookies have voted to unionize across five shops in Toronto, coming together as the company continues to expand nationally. After a two week organizing drive that began in early December, workers voted to join Local 75, building collective power across the brand.
The newly organized shops include locations in East York, Church-Wellesley, Leslieville, Parkdale, and Union Station, marking a strong show of unity from workers across the city.
Days before the new year, more than a thousand Aramark workers hit a home run at Boston’s Fenway Park and MGM Music Hall by ratifying an extraordinary new contract. Workers won the largest wages increases in the history of Fenway Park, as well as job protections against automation. The workers had been negotiating for almost a year and had gone on a three-day strike in the summer.
Over the next five years, non-tipped employees will get $10/hour raises and tipped employees will get $5/hour raises. Catering gratuities will increase from 15% to 17%, while vendors will see a 1% increase on commissions. All employees will also receive retroactive pay dating back to January 1st, 2025. Under the new agreement, existing self-checkout kiosks will remain, but there will be one human beer seller and one ID checker for every two machines. Aramark will be prohibited from adding more hybrid machines that sell both alcohol and food.
Joe Baio, a Barback and Union Shop Steward who has been at the iconic Boston ballpark for 15 seasons, said, “Fenway’s tradition doesn’t come from the walls, it comes from the workers. We’ve been here through renovations, management changes, and every kind of season. This contract helps keep that history in the park for fans.”
