Why A Worker Strike At Dodger Stadium May Mean No Concession Food

Major League Baseball is poised to kick off All-Star Week 2022, and LA's Dodger Stadium is front and center as the site for the festivities. Events are scheduled to begin on Saturday, July 15 at 4 p.m., with the All-Star Futures game for Minor League players, followed by the All-Star Celebrity Softball Game featuring Rob Lowe, Bad Bunny, JoJo Siwa, Bryan Cranston, and more, according to Dodgers Nation. Other events for the week include the Home Run Derby, All-Star Workout Day, the MLB 2022 Draft, and, of course, the All-Star Game.

There's a bit of a wrinkle, though. According to Restaurant Business, Dodger Stadium holds about 56,000 fans, and it's expecting to be at or close to maximum capacity. Many of those fans will likely be planning to line up for one of the famed Dodger Dogs, but there's a good chance they'll be sorely disappointed.

Dodger Dogs don't cook and sell themselves, and according to Dodger Blue, 99% of the 1500 food and beverage workers at Dodger Stadium voted to strike before the All-Star Game. The workers, represented by the hospitality union Unite Here Local 11, are applying pressure in their negotiations for a new union contract that provides for higher wages and better benefits.

The hospitality workers have the declared support of the MLB Players Association union, though players haven't indicated whether they'll cross any picket lines to play the scheduled games. Dodger Stadium concession stands are run by the Compass Group and Levy Restaurants, and bartender Sylvia Sosa told NPR, "I proudly served Dodger dogs and beers for many years and want our company, Compass/Levy, to recognize our worth and raise standards for all of its stadium workers." While All-Star attendees may miss out on the Dodger Dog due to the possible strike, there's always the possibility of a road trip to visit one of the other stadiums known for amazing ballpark fare.