Food workers at Convention Center authorize strike against Aramark

Food service workers at the Oregon Convention Center rejected a final contract offer by Aramark, and authorized the union to call a strike at any time.

The unit of 200 banquet servers, kitchen and concession workers is represented by UNITE HERE Local 9.

Union officers are looking at the possibility of a rolling strike, in which workers could strike certain high-volume events, such as upcoming conferences by Amway and Intel.

In ballots cast June 23, members agreed with the union’s bargaining committee recommendation for a “no” vote on the contract, on the grounds that it would have reduced access to health insurance benefits.