Boston Food Workers Go On Strike
UNITE HERE Local 26 members without contract since October
By Stephanie Corbin -- Tradeshow Week, 6/30/2008
On June 21, Aramark employees at two convention centers in Boston began a three-day strike that affected two shows.
The strike involved about 400 workers – members of the UNITE HERE Local 26 – at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and the John B. Hynes Memorial Convention Center, a union spokesman said. The workers have been without a contract since October.
According to union officials, the strike was to protest unfair labor practices by Aramark.
Two shows were scheduled at the convention centers during the strike, the Health & Fitness Expo, June 21-22 at the Hynes with 50,000 expected attendees, and the Drug Information Assn. Annual Meeting, June 22-25 at the BCEC, with 8,500 expected attendees.
Show management for both shows were unavailable for comment.
“We're working very hard to come to an agreement with our employees at that location,” said Kristine Grow, a spokeswoman with Aramark. The issues that Aramark and the union are negotiating are related more to national issues than issues at the Boston location, she added.
UNITE HERE formed in 2004 when the Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE) joined with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Intl. (HERE). It is a union for hotel, industrial laundry, apparel and textile manufacturing, casino and food service workers.
At least one organization with an event at the BCEC also has taken measures to show its support for the Aramark workers.
The Natl. Assn. of Letter Carriers recently announced the cancellation of all food service for its 66th Biennial NALC Convention July 21-25.
NALC Director of Public Relations Drew Von Bergen said the association had six breakfasts and an opening reception scheduled at the convention center. The breakfasts have been moved to area hotels, but the opening reception – and other food and beverage service – was canceled, he added.
“I regret having to make this announcement, but this is what the labor movement is all about – solidarity with our brothers and sisters in their time of critical need,” said NALC President William H. Young. “Our members could not enjoy their bacon and eggs, sandwiches and sodas knowing that the workers serving them were being denied basic workplace benefits accorded similar workers in other parts of Boston.”
Von Bergen said this wasn't the first time the union took similar measures for solidarity.
“This was done at our 1990 convention in New Orleans,” he added. At that time, there were some “contract issues” at the convention center, and the NALC withdrew all food events. Approximately 7,000 NALC members are expected to attend the Boston event.
