In today’s News and Commentary, the Chocolate Workers union ratifies an agreement with Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, and the Minnesota Twins’ concession workers announce plans to strike.

On Saturday, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (HE&R) ratified an agreement with the Chocolate Workers Local Union No. 464, preventing a possible strike. The union represents over 4,000 employees at Hersheypark, Hotel Hershey, and the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The union “strongly encourage[d]” its members to vote in favor of the fifth potential contract to reach a vote since the start of negotiations, as these tentative terms come on the heels of the workers rejecting a fourth possible contract last month. Though the terms of the new agreement with the chocolate giant were not disclosed, union representatives and members said they were seeking stronger retirement benefits, higher wages, and reduced healthcare costs. Ratifying the five-year deal avoided a shutdown of Hersheypark ahead of the summer tourist season, and the park was able to open with no delays. The last of five groups to vote in favor of the contract were Hotel Hershey employees. Hershey Lodge and Hershey Country Club workers had voted to ratify their own deal with HE&R last month.

On Thursday, concession workers at Target Field, home of MLB’s Minnesota Twins, announced their plans to strike starting June 22. The workers are employed by Delaware North and represented by UNITE HERE Local 17. Last month, 81 percent of the stadium’s 500 food and beverage workers voted to authorize a strike, seeking health insurance, improved job security, and increased wages. The union has also pushed back against Delaware North’s use of nonprofit volunteers. Though the union and Delaware North have been in negotiations since the workers’ previous contract expired in January, little progress has been made toward finalizing an agreement. As the strike is set to begin at the beginning of the Twins’ series against the reigning World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the union has asked fans to bring their own food and beverages to the game to avoid crossing the picket line. Though this strike would be Minnesota’s first strike at a major league stadium, it is just one of many labor disputes currently affecting professional baseball, as the Players’ Union negotiations are anticipated to result in a lockout after the 2026 season ends this fall.