Philly Plain Dealer

The 76ers organization continues to disappoint the people of Philadelphia. During tonight’s Pistons vs. Sixers game concession workers, cooks, bartenders and many behind the scenes workers that are members of the UNITE HERE Local 274 Union will be on strike.

Members of the UNITE HERE Local 274 Union are asking for:

• Healthcare coverage
• Wages adjusted to inflation
• Wage consistency

Carlton Epps, a bartender in Local 274 who works at Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park, and the Wells Fargo Center for Aramark notes “I work at all three stadiums for Aramark… yet Citizens of the United States of America need to subsidize my healthcare when I work, I think that’s a shame, shame on you Aramark.” 

This is yet another Sixers scandal caused wholly by the greed of corporations tied to ownership. Amidst an unpopular plan to relocate the team from South Philly to Chinatown based on ownership wanting total control of an arena, this strike is yet another stain on an organization that continues to disappoint its city. Although this strike is not directly tied to Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, who owns the Sixers – it is an indictment on the overall mismanagement of the organization. 

Aramark is the true antagonist in this story, which should not be surprising. Aramark is the epitome of a “big scary conglomerate” as they control food distributions in many facets of Philadelphia public life. An Aramark subsidiary “Aramark Correctional Services,” is the largest provider of food services to U.S. prisons, having 38% of the market share and made up about 12% of the company’s $12.8 billion dollars in revenue in 2020 according to a report by The American Friends Service Committee.

Unfortunately for striking workers, these stadiums have a vast network of subcontracted workers who will likely be filling in as tenured union workers strike. These are companies like J-Mac Concessions whose company website notes their work at Wells Fargo Center, The Linc, and Citizens Bank Park.

The Sixers have not won 2 rounds in the playoffs since 2001. The only reason that the Sixers are a marginally relevant team is because Sam Hinkie drafted a 7-footer from Cameroon, yet ownership feels as if they have the right to underpay Philadelphians and reshape Philadelphia sports culture. 

Josh Harris and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment own the 76ers, New Jersey Devils, and the Washington Commanders. The company has no allegiance to Philadelphia and does not care about the people of Philadelphia. These are the ignoramuses that gave us Franklin the Dog as a mascot and are trying to redesign Center City with their dreams of “76 Place.”

If you’re attending tonight’s Sixers Vs. Pistons game, tailgate hard and avoid alcohol purchases in the game, and maybe even pack a little dinner for yourself. Support your neighbors and your community who are striking for a living wage and don’t support the billion dollar conglomerates that are subjugating them.