Three Strikes: Centerplate and Local 2 fighting for healthcare

Centerplate formerly known as Volume Services America, the concessions juggernaut of the food service industry is facing a crisis among its concession stand employees whom are represented by the Local 2 Union. With the San Francisco Giants being a three-time World Champion team, fans would assume that the concession stand workers would be celebrated as well, since they are usually the first point-of-contact for a majority of the fans, outside of the Giants employees.

With over 50 different food stands at AT&T Park, fans get to taste the world but at a high price with regular beers starting at $8.00 up to $12 dollars. Your everyday Giants hot dog and greasy garlic fries are baseball park staples, but what would fans do if they were aware that the concession stands eagerly serving them their high-quality high-priced food were working without a union contract?

For the last few years, employees of Centerplate have not had a contract nor any progress towards retirement and healthcare benefits which to some on the outside looking in may not think is a big deal, or even an entitlement for these workers who are, for the most part, seasonal.

To most people, the concession stands are a novelty, the food that is served primary at ballparks for the San Francisco Giants or at the Stick, Candlestick Park for the San Francisco 49ers, however these employees are more than novelty. Some call them the backbone behind these organizations because without those garlic fries, Giants dogs, Chicago dogs, or pretzels, would fans still have an all inclusive time at the ballpark?

 

Stay tuned for interviews with Centerplate employees, past and present, to get the real deal behind their lack of a contract and the future of the concessions.