It was not your typical day game at AT&T Park Saturday as the Giants took on the Rockies. The game on the field was "one for the ages" with a game winning inside-the-park home run in the bottom of the 10th inning.
There was another back and forth going on in the stands, as some 750 concession workers declared a one day strike.
The union workers dispute isn't against the Giants. The workers are employed by a company called Centerplate, which is the San Francisco Giants’ food and beverage subcontractor.
Union members authorized a strike by an overwhelming majority earlier this month. Union leadership declared the one day strike at 4 a.m. Saturday.
Center plate said they are bringing in replacement workers, but the long lines for your peanuts and cracker jack were a little longer Saturday.
Giants spokeswoman Shana Daum told Bay City News there was no major disruption. "They've had a little bit longer lines but nothing usual, kind of close to an opening day." Daum said. She said fans were very patient and everyone got served.
Patricia Ramirez, who has been a cook for 13 years, said the strike should be a wake-up call.
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“We want a new contract with wage increases, health care, and job security, and we’re willing to fight for it,” Ramirez said.
The union says negotiations are at a standstill between Centerplate and the concession workers’ union, not the team directly.
The Giants said San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee has agreed to step in and help move along the negotiations.
The main sticking points are wages and health care.
The union said people walking the picket lines will encourage fans to enjoy the game, but to refrain from purchasing food.
The union said its workers will be back on the job Sunday.
Giants Statement:
We are disappointed that Centerplate and Local 2 have been unable to reach agreement on a new contract. We continue to urge both parties to get back to the bargaining table and to have productive discussions so the matter can be resolved as quickly as possible. This dispute is between Centerplate and Local 2, not the Giants. Mayor Ed Lee has graciously offered to bring the parties together to work toward reaching a resolution for the sake of the employees and the fans. We thank him for his assistance and leadership in this matter. We apologize to our fans for any inconvenience this unfortunate situation may have caused and we remain hopeful that Local 2 and Centerplate can find common ground and move forward.
Centerplate spokesman Sam Singer said in a prepared statement that the company, based in Stamford, Conn., believes "this labor action by Local 2 is unnecessary, unfortunate and illegal."
Centerplate has "the highest paid staff in the concession business, earning between $15 and $20 an hour, receiving full healthcare and other benefits for their part time work," Singer said.
Hegde said that Centerplate has a large mark up, perhaps up to 55 percent, on its concessions that includes $10.25 for a cup of beer, Hegde said "Not all that money is going to the workers," Hegde said. Nordman, who called beer sales the "liquid gold" of the park, said that $5.50 of each beer goes to the Giants, the rest to Centerplate.
