SAN FRANCISCO — While the San Francisco Giants try to strike out the Atlanta Braves on today in San Francisco, AT&T Park workers will be voting on a different kind of strike next door.
Park concession workers, represented by the Unite Here Local 2, will vote on whether to authorize a strike. The vote comes in response to what union officials say is a three-year wage freeze “despite impressive financial success” by the Giants and their concessions subcontractor, Centerplate.
A San Francisco Giants spokeswoman referred calls on the strike vote to Centerplate.
A spokeswoman for the company called the strike vote “very unfortunate” and noted that contract negotiations are still in progress.
The union did not approach Centerplate to negotiate a new contract until around two years after the old contract had been expired, and the two sides have met around six times since the start of the year, spokeswoman Gina Antonini said.
“Obviously Centerplate highly values their employees, but they actually bring in some of the highest wages in the industry,” said Antonini, who added that park workers make between $15 to $20 an hour and have all healthcare costs covered.
Park workers will vote from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m., and from two hours after the last pitch at the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 34 Hall at Second and King streets, next to the ballpark.
Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. … Republication, re-transmission or reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
