"Food services workers step up protest" by Matt Viser and Jonnelle Marte, Globe Correspondent | June 22, 2008
Scores of food services workers marched in front of Boston's two main convention centers yesterday, launching a three-day strike to protest what they consider unfair labor practices.
The strike, which began yesterday and will continue through tomorrow, encouraged weekend convention-goers to express solidarity by going without their mainstays: coffee, sandwiches, and snacks.
About 30 unionized workers of the concession giant Aramark Corp. picketed outside the Hynes Convention Center yesterday as thousands streamed inside for the Health and Fitness Expo, a two-day conference offering health screenings, fitness advice, and healthful cooking instructions....
The workers, who are members of UNITE HERE Local 26, are protesting as part of a contract dispute and say that Aramark has engaged in a pattern of punishing workers for union activities. The union, which has about 400 members, has been without a contract since October.
Union representatives have argued that their previous contract was based on a sparse convention calendar, where food services only needed temporary and part-time workers. Because business has increased, the union argues, the contract should treat the workers as permanent employees, with health insurance and other benefits.
Aramark representatives did not return several calls and e-mails yesterday seeking comment....
Aramark is a Philadelphia-based catering and food services company with 250,000 employees in 19 countries. In addition to the Boston convention centers, the company provides food and beverage service for Fenway Park....
Ooooh.
Maybe it is a good thing they won't be servicing the convention halls, 'eh?
Also see: Fenway Franks, Get Your Fenway Franks Here
UNITE HERE spokesman Stephen Crawford said they were not asking convention-goers to refuse to cross picket lines, but were asking them to boycott Aramark services inside. The request was met with mixed results and patrons inside still lined up to by fruit, sandwiches, and drinks at a food stand run by servers who said they were working temporarily for the event....
In a move to show solidarity with the union, the National Association of Letter Carriers decided not to use food service for a major convention next month at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. The president of the letter carriers union, William Young, said that the opening reception has been canceled and all breakfast functions will be held at other venues.
I know some of those guys, and are they ever overpaid for doing nothing.
One guy goes home and takes a three-hour nap in the middle of the day, and another parks his truck for two hours so he can read the paper.
Hate to say it, but the Post Office is also a conduit for MORE government looting.
Sorry.
Of course, when I think of the TRILLIONS that go to wars and occupations, the billions that go to banks and Israel, well....
Food and beverages won't be available at workshop sessions during the July 21-25 convention, which nearly 9,000 delegates are expected to attend and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama might speak.
"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 others parts of Boston," Young said last week in a statement.
Oooooh! Big Wigs going to have to go without chow!
I wonder how long they will last (I can usually make it to around 6, then I gotta have something).
