Red Sox Nation is setting the record straight after U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy wrongly called out John Henry for not paying Fenway Park concession workers a better wage.
“Hey @RedSox I’m a diehard fan,” the Connecticut Democrat stated in a social media post Monday evening, “but the fact that your owner John Henry doubled his net worth in just 5 years – to $5.5 BILLION – and you pay many of your workers $10/hour less than comparable earners in the area…it stinks.”
Murphy posted his thoughts after concession workers took to the picket line during the weekend series between the Red Sox and Dodgers at Fenway, marking the first strike in the ballpark’s 113-year history.
Henry does not own Aramark, the company with which Unite Here Local 26 concession workers are in contract negotiations.
Scores of Red Sox fans and even NESN color analyst Lou Merloni quickly slammed Murphy for his false criticism of Henry, the principal owner and co-founder of Fenway Sports Group.
“You’re a Senator,” Merloni wrote on X Tuesday morning, in response to Murphy’s post, “not a Sports Radio caller. Do some research before sounding uninformed.”
Fenway Sports Group has a large portfolio that includes the Red Sox, Liverpool FC, Pittsburgh Penguins, NESN, and others, but not Aramark.
Employees at Fenway Park and MGM Music Hall voted by 95% to authorize a strike in June before they took to the picket line last Friday, just hours before the Red Sox opened their series against the Dodgers. Local 26 represents cashiers, cooks, barbacks, souvenir vendors, utility workers, and other staff at the park and its neighboring music venue.
The Red Sox are on the road in Minnesota before returning home on Friday for a weekend series against the Astros, during which the strike may continue.
“Correct me if I’m wrong,” podcaster Ed Hand posted on X in response to Murphy’s statement, “but they’re Aramark employees not Red Sox, no?”
Worcester Red Sox Radio/TV Broadcaster Mike Antonellis responded to Hand, saying “I’m pretty sure (Murphy) knows that. He’s doing what most people do on here – saying outrageous things for attention. That tweet will be his best.”
Local 26 has invited Henry to intervene in contract negotiations with Aramark, sending him a letter last week that partially read: “It’s about whether the people who serve the hot dogs, pour the beer, and welcome the fans can afford to keep living in the city we love.”
The union is seeking better pay and working conditions after its contract expired at the end of 2024. Striking workers have urged fans not to buy food while attending games.
“We continue to closely monitor the ongoing labor negotiations between Aramark and the union representing their employees,” the Red Sox said in a statement last week. “While the Red Sox are not a party to these discussions, we are hopeful that a fair resolution can be agreed upon quickly.”
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