Nearly 650 unionized workers employed by Aramark at the Wells Fargo Center, the bustling hub for sports and events in Philadelphia, have cast their votes—an overwhelming nod to authorize a strike, according to FOX 29. With negotiations on the brink, these workers, responsible for feeding and serving crowds at major sporting events, demand increased pay and benefits that sustain a family, signaling a potential disruption for fans who frequent the venue to cheer on their favorite teams.

The result of Sunday's vote does not immediately call a strike into effect. However, it grants the union significant leverage as they seek improvements in their working conditions. "We do want to be in here and serve you but we also need to be able to take care of our families," Samantha Spector, a union member, told FOX 29. The workers’ list of demands includes better wages, healthcare benefits, paid time off, and sick leave, along with a call for respect from the company they toil for.

Aramark, the multinational corporation overseeing these food service and retail employees, extended an olive branch. A spokesperson made it clear that the company holds its employees’ right to protest in high regard, "We respect the right of our employees to demonstrate and look forward to continuing to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement that works for everyone," the spokesperson said in a statement obtained by 6ABC. The concession to negotiate seems to indicate a path forward without needing an employment standoff.

With the Philadelphia 76ers' next home game scheduled for Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers and the Flyers set to host the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, the proposed strike hangs like a sword of Damocles over upcoming events.

The final decision to strike resides with the worker-led negotiating committee, which will determine if and when to escalate their dispute, according to a spokesperson who underscored the committee’s power in a release reported by CBS News Philadelphia.