The rosters for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game are out, but the players aren't the only ones in the spotlight on Monday as news surfaces that concession workers at Dodger Stadium are likely to go on strike ahead of the midseason festivities, which kick off next week.
Unite Here, the union representing those workers, told the Los Angeles Times on Monday that 99 percent of workers voted on Sunday to authorize the strike.
"[Concession workers] are the backbone of our tourism and sports industry, yet many struggle to stay housed and to make ends meet," Susan Minato, co-president of Unite Here Local 11, said in a statement. "They often live with economic uncertainty because the quality of jobs vary stadium to stadium. No worker should have to continue living like this."
Unite Here spokeswoman Maria Hernandez told the L.A. Times that the union is seeking "a fair new union contract" but did not get into the specifics. Hernandez added that the pandemic brought to life how dismal the housing and health care provided to the workers really is.
Dodger Stadium workers are employed by Levy Restaurants, a Chicago-based company responsible for the food and beverage at the ballpark. As of Monday morning, the company had not issued a statement about the pending strike.
The workers are employed by Chicago-based Levy Restaurants, the company responsible for concession operations at Dodger Stadium. Kevin Memolo, the spokesman for Levy Restaurants, did not immediately return a message Monday. https://t.co/qdYul81gAc pic.twitter.com/AdlvEmmWkG
— L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) July 11, 2022
Hernandez told the L.A. Times the strike could happen at any time. The MLB All-Star events kick off on Saturday with the Futures Game, followed by the Home Run Derby on Monday and the All-Star Game on Tuesday.
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