Aramark workers protest in Center City, Philadelphia – NBC10 Philadelphia

Hundreds of cooks, servers, bartenders, dishwashers and concession workers employed by Aramark are protesting downtown.

Workers, represented by UNITE Here Local 274, gathered on the bridge near Aramark World Headquarters along the 24^th and Market Streets in Philadelphia around 4 p.m. Wednesday, blocking traffic in the area. SkyForce10 was above the stage as workers – dressed in red shirts – held up a 40-foot banner that read “ARAMARK – HEALTHCARE NOW.” A large inflatable cat was also seen near the workers.

Philadelphia police responded to the protest around 5:30 p.m. and began arresting some protesters.

“Aramark employees from Wells Fargo Center, Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field, joined by Senator Nikil Saval, today staged a massive protest in front of Aramark's global headquarters on Market Street. 50 people attended arrested after sitting on Market Street,” UNITE HERE said. The Philadelphia Local 274 union representing Aramark workers said in a press release.

Senator Saval was among those arrested and also issued a statement:

“The work of UNITE HERE workers is a crucial part of what makes Philadelphia great. They work year-round, in blistering cold and sweltering heat, to ensure Philadelphia residents and visitors have the best possible experience. And in return, Aramark repeatedly devalued their work, forcing them to choose between feeding their families, keeping their homes, or seeking potentially life-saving medical care. I refuse to let my constituents be mistreated by a wealthy corporation that gets richer every year by exploiting their labor. Their fight is my fight. I am with them until they receive the wages and benefits they deserve.

Protest organizers said food service workers at the South Philadelphia sports complex made significantly less money than food service workers at stadiums in other major cities.

“Food service workers at Washington DC's Cap One Arena and Chicago's United Center earn $21.50 and $21.55 an hour, respectively, while their counterparts at the Wells Fargo Center earn just $14.11 $ per hour,” the organizers wrote. “Employees who work at least 910 hours per year between the United Center and Wrigley Field in Chicago are eligible for free health insurance year-round. Only a few Aramark employees at the sports complex are eligible for employer-sponsored health care, despite the fact that hundreds of them work for Aramark year-round.

Aramark workers went on strike for four days in April at the Wells Fargo Center. The union said health benefit eligibility for year-round workers remains a major sticking point as contract negotiations between them and Aramark continue.

“I have worked at all three Aramark stadiums here in Philadelphia since 2008 when Aramark took over the Lincoln Financial Field contract,” said Carlton Epps, attendant at the Aramark Suite at Citizens Bank Park.

“We respect the right of our employees to demonstrate. We have had several meetings with the negotiating committee with the aim of reaching a new agreement, and we intend to continue working towards a settlement that suits everyone. an exceptional fan experience for our customers and we would like to thank our dedicated employees across the organization for their support of our ongoing contingency plans,” Aramark said in a statement.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.