Pennsylvania's largest theme park is staring down a potential work stoppage at the worst possible moment. The decision that determines the fate of the 2026 Hersheypark summer season is being made this week.
The Vote That Could Shut It All Down
Over a three-day window this week, more than 200 union maintenance employees at Hersheypark, The Hotel Hershey, and Giant Center are casting ballots on whether to authorize a strike. The vote follows the rejection of what Hershey Entertainment & Resorts had called its “last, best, and final” contract offer on Thursday, May 7 — the third proposal the company has put forward since negotiations opened earlier this year.
The two sides had previously bought themselves more time when, in mid-March, both parties agreed to extend the existing contract by 60 days to allow talks to continue. That extension hasn't produced an agreement, and the union's patience appears to have run out.
Results of the strike vote are expected before the end of the week. Hershey Entertainment & Resorts has not commented publicly on the possibility of a work stoppage.
Who Would Walk Out and Why
The employees voting this week are the operational backbone of the entire resort. The union represents carpenters, HVAC technicians, ride mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, painters, machinists, sign artists, laborers, central plant operators, garage auto mechanics, and utilities technicians. Losing that workforce, even temporarily, would have immediate and visible consequences for guests.
Their grievances center on conditions that employees say have steadily declined over recent years. The union is pushing for meaningful wage increases, stronger pay premiums for less desirable shifts, and healthcare coverage that doesn't place an unreasonable burden on workers and their families. On the question of future contracts, the union has been explicit: it will not accept any deal that devalues skilled trades, dilutes professional standards, or gives Hersheypark a mechanism to drive down maintenance wages in years to come.
The Summer Season Hanging in the Balance
The strike vote is landing at a moment of maximum exposure for Hersheypark. The resort is currently running a weekend-only schedule as it prepares to flip to seven-day-a-week operations on May 21 — the unofficial start of the summer season. The Boardwalk water park is set to follow on May 23. Just days ago, the resort celebrated the opening of its newest lodging property, the Hershey Inn & Suites, which welcomed its first guests on May 1.
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A strike would threaten it all. Beyond the risk to the summer opening timeline, a depleted or absent maintenance team could mean attractions sitting idle, guest facilities going unmaintained, and an operation that simply can't deliver the experience Hersheypark is known for.
The consequences could also spill into Giant Center next door. A Nate Bargatze performance is booked for May 16, and many of the union contractors who handle venue setup are widely expected to honor any picket line that goes up before then, putting that event and future concerts in jeopardy as well.
Do you think the Hersheypark employees will vote to strike this week? Share your opinion with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
