With its summer season one week away and a strike vote hanging in the air, Hersheypark has finally spoken.
The Statement From Hersheypark
After days of public speculation about whether a union strike could derail the 2026 summer season at Pennsylvania's largest theme park, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts responded to questions from ABC27 with an official statement:
“Hersheypark is preparing to open for the 2026 summer season as scheduled on May 21. We are focused on delivering the experience our guests expect, and we look forward to welcoming them.
We continue to engage in contract negotiations with Local 464, and we have been in discussions with union leadership about a time to reconvene for further discussion.We value our long standing relationship with our union-represented team members and remain committed to the bargaining process. We are not going to speculate on outcomes, but we can confirm that our opening plans are proceeding on schedule.
We will communicate directly with our guests if anything changes.”
The resort also addressed concerned fans directly on Instagram, with a representative commenting on the park's most recent post: “Hersheypark is planning to open on May 21 as scheduled, and we are preparing for a great summer season.”
View this post on Instagram
Where Negotiations Stand
Over 200 union maintenance employees — members of Chocolate Workers Local No. 464 — rejected Hershey Entertainment & Resorts' third and, they say, final contract offer one week ago. The two sides had previously extended the existing contract by 60 days back in mid-March to allow negotiations to continue, but that runway produced no agreement.
This week, union members voted on whether to authorize a strike. Chocolate Workers Local No. 464 has not yet announced the results of that vote.
The workers at the center of the dispute represent the operational backbone of the entire resort — carpenters, HVAC technicians, ride mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, painters, machinists, sign artists, laborers, central plant operators, garage auto mechanics, and utilities technicians, among them.
Their demands center on fair wage increases, more affordable healthcare coverage, and better pay premiums for less desirable shifts. The union has been clear that it will walk away from any future offer that devalues skilled trades, lowers professional standards, or creates a pathway for the company to reduce maintenance wages down the line.
Union member Todd Tranquillo put the situation plainly in comments to FOX43:
“The next step is to potentially strike. Nobody really wants to, but we're hoping that they'll come back to the table and give us a more amicable agreement. …The company does really well. The town has been doing amazing. We're constantly expanding and growing, and we want to make sure it's going toward the betterment of everyone… We're all ready to work hard. We just want to make sure we're met with the same energy.”
What's at Stake Beyond the Theme Park
A strike wouldn't just threaten Hersheypark's May 21 opening. The Boardwalk water park is scheduled to follow on May 23, and events at the adjacent Giant Center are also in a precarious position. The Nate Bargatze performance booked for May 16 could be impacted, as other union contractors typically hired for venue setup are widely expected to refuse to cross any picket line that goes up.
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts failed to comment on the potential effects of a strike on Giant Center events or on Dark Nights — the park's annual haunt event scheduled to begin September 12, 2026.
For now, the Sweetest Place on Earth is moving forward as planned. Hersheypark is open this weekend, Friday through Sunday, May 15 through 17. The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge, and the newly-opened Hershey Inn & Suites remain operational throughout the negotiations.
Has recent news impacted your plans to visit Hershey, Pennsylvania, this summer? Disney Fanatic would love to hear from you in the comments!
