Averting possible strike, food and beverage workers at Barclays Center announce agreement lifting wages, better terms, and some progress on health insurance.

Union President José Maldonado and workers;
BP Antonio Reynoso is on other side of mic

After threatening a strike and keeping pressure on with tweets and op-eds and articles,  food and beverage workers at Barclays Center, members of UNITE HERE Local 100, have reached a tentative agreement with their employer, Levy Restaurants, averting a planned strike authorization vote. 

They held a spirited pep rally/press conference yesterday outside the arena's Dean Street entrance, with union leaders in attendance, along with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso (whose aunt works for Levy) and Council Member Lincoln Restler (whose district starts a little farther away).

Assuming the contract is ratified by the 650 workers, they will "will receive raises between $5-$11.20 an hour," said the union, presumably over the life of the five-year contract, which is retroactive to last year and will be in effect until 2027.

"By the end of the contract, the lowest paid worker will earn a wage of $25 an hour," the union said.

Wages vary by classification, union rep Alyssa Pollard told me, but concession stand leads now earn $19.70 and will earn $21.90 (with tips on top) by Sept. 13 and up to $25 by 2027 (with tips on top).

It's unclear, however, whether the new floor for all workers will be $20, as sought in June. Levy is currently advertising a dishwasher job at $17.20/hour.

UNITE HERE Local 100 also represents food and beverage workers at Madison Square Garden, and union President José Maldonado said they were aiming to get Madison Square Garden to meet and exceed these terms.

Health insurance improvement

Of the workers, only 66 of them qualified for health insurance as of last month, according to a union rep, who said they aim to get at least 200 qualified under the new contract.

Now the union has been guaranteed that at least 100 workers--half the goal--will get such insurance. That means they will get it even without working the previously set minimum hours--a new standard for such contracts.

Nyla Andrews, a concession stand lead I spoke with, said she currently got health insurance from the state but hoped to get it from the job.

Other negotiated terms: concession workers can now receive tips; workers got more additional employer-contributions to their pension; and the ability to work at other Levy-operated properties. The contract will be in effect until 2027.

“I’m so happy about this tentative agreement. It will raise the standards for us in all classifications at Barclays. I’ll actually have health insurance through the job I’ve worked since day one!” said Lashawn Saunders, a Levy concessions stand lead, in a press release.

Joint statement

UNITE HERE Local 100 and Levy issued a joint statement:

“UNITE HERE Local 100 and Levy have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract for Barclays Center team members that will deliver wage increases, expanded access to health insurance, and investment in training facilities and programs. We are all proud to reach a deal that shows team members how much they are valued. Union membership will vote to ratify the agreement in the coming days.”

On video

President Maldonado speaks about wages, health insurance, and training, noting a $200,000 commitment to a training fund. At the end, Secretary-Treasurer Sussie Lozada speaks.

   

 Borough President Reynoso speaks, followed by Council Member Restler.

 

 

Saunders speaks, saying the contract has raised the standard for concession workers. She is followed by Andrews.

In the Q&A, I asked Maldonado regarding wage specifics and he said there'd be a guarantee of $25.00 for certain workers. He said that the Prudential Center and USB Arena also have a floor for tipped workers and that the Barclays contract currently is better than that of other arenas.

He said the contract brings respect, and dignity.