Hersheypark Faces Uncertain Summer Season as Critical Employees Vote on Strike
The Sweetest Place on Earth is heading into its busiest stretch of the year with a labor dispute that could complicate everything from ride operations to concert setups. Here’s what to know before your next visit to Hersheypark.
Workers Reject Final Offer From Hersheypark
On Thursday, May 7, more than 200 union maintenance employees across Hersheypark, The Hotel Hershey, and Giant Center voted down what Hershey Entertainment & Resorts had presented as its “last, best, and final” contract offer. It was the third proposal the company had put forward since negotiations began earlier this year. Back in mid-March, both sides had agreed to extend the existing contract by 60 days to keep talks alive, but that runway has now run out without a deal.
The union represents skilled tradespeople whose roles touch virtually every corner of the resort: carpenters, HVAC technicians, ride mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, painters, machinists, sign artists, laborers, central plant operators, garage auto mechanics, and utilities technicians. These are the people who keep Hersheypark running, and their absence would be felt immediately.
Employees say working conditions and benefits have eroded over the past few years. Their priorities at the bargaining table include fair wage increases, better pay premiums for less desirable shifts, and healthcare plans that don’t strain their budgets. The union has drawn a firm line, stating it will walk away from any future offer that devalues skilled trades, weakens professional standards, or creates a path for Hersheypark to reduce wages in maintenance roles down the road.
Over a three-day window this week, union members are casting ballots on whether to authorize a strike. Results are expected to be announced before the week is out. Hershey Entertainment & Resorts has not issued any public response to the possibility of a work stoppage.
What’s at Stake for Guests
The timing could hardly be more consequential for the Pennsylvania resort. Hersheypark is currently operating on a weekend-only schedule as it ramps up toward its full summer season, which launches seven days a week beginning May 21. The Boardwalk water park is scheduled to follow just two days later, on May 23. The resort also just opened its newest hotel property, the Hershey Inn & Suites, on May 1.
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A strike authorization wouldn’t just threaten the summer opening timeline. With a reduced or absent maintenance team, Hersheypark could face closed attractions, inoperational facilities, and a guest experience that falls well short of what the Pennsylvania resort typically delivers at the height of the season.
The ripple effects extend beyond the theme park itself. The next scheduled event at Giant Center is a Nate Bargatze performance on May 16, and many of the union contractors who handle venue setup are expected to refuse to cross any picket line that goes up before then.
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