Deer District Workers Ratify New Union Contract, Delivering on Raises and All Worker Priorities
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Area Service and Hospitality Workers Union (MASH) announced that workers employed by Deer District ratified a new union contract, overwhelmingly backed by members.
Union officers tallied ballots on Monday morning from voting that took place starting August 12th and running through the weekend. Union members voted 98.4% to ratify a new four-year union contract recommended for approval by the elected bargaining committee and union officers.
“Deer District workers won a great new contract that secured major victories on every key priority of members, from double-digit raises and a living wage for all to critical enhancements to scheduling and a comprehensive system for work assignments, while giving up no concessions,” said Peter Rickman, President and Business Manager of MASH. “Worker-centered, member-driven, democratic trade unionism made these victories for Deer District employees, which will continue transforming their jobs for the better and setting the standard for service-sector work in Milwaukee and beyond.”
“There wouldn’t be a single ticket sold or guest in the door without the members of this union showing up to do our jobs and proudly creating a world-class guest experience – and this contract shows that the company respects that and respects us as workers,” said Kenneth Green, Vice President of MASH and a long-time event security worker at Fiserv Forum whose tenure stretches back to the Bradley Center. “We’ve built a strong union and that’s meant we’ve been able to win in every contract the improvements that have made this a good job where workers are valued. This is our best contract ever and I’m proud of my co-workers and my union for sticking together and delivering the contract we deserve.”
Economic highlights of the new union contract include:
- Additional pay increase steps for every job classification that raise wages based upon years of service
- Substantial wage increases focused on the job classifications representing the overwhelming share of employee hours worked by event
- Substantial wage increases rewarding longevity and enhancing retention
- Major first year wage increases more than twice the rate of inflation and year-to-year increases that will keep pace with inflation
To illustrate the nature of economic gains for Deer District workers:
- New hires in guest services who started the week of Labor Day 2025 will see their pay increase 10.6% the week of Labor Day 2026
- Event security workers who have stuck around since Fiserv Forum opened will get a raise of 8.8% this week.
- Ticket sellers with more than one year of employment will see raises over the life of the contract of over 21%
- Full-time security workers not only secured raises to $22 to $24 per hour but also protected their health insurance and retirement plan participation
- Entry-level pay increases at least 5.6% across classifications
- Virtually every single hour worked will pay at least $20 per hour by the end of the first year of the contract
MASH won major victories on the two non-economic priorities of union members: (1) Scheduling flexibility; and, (2) Assignments. Previously, employees struggled with limited options for making changes to their schedules or addressing availability constraints without risking discipline. For years, union members agitated and organized this issue and made some progress – but in this contract, the union won a comprehensive system of added flexibility that improves a core working condition and enhances employee retention.
Prior to this contract, management made all decisions regarding assignments and placements for each shift with sole and exclusive authority. For years employees not only sought clarity on how assignments were made and to prohibit arbitrary decisions or favoritism, but also to create a transparent system that reflected objective qualifications, Seniority and employee preferences. During negotiations, the company and the union came to agreement on a new system for employee assignments that fulfills each of the principles outlined by union members and their bargaining committee negotiators.
The major non-economic victories, along with the major economic victories, demonstrate the respect for Deer District workers held by the company and reflect a mutual interest to invest in creating a workplace that yields a world-class guest experience.
MASH represents a bargaining unit of roughly 450 part-time and full-time workers employed by the Deer District who run Fiserv Forum and associated grounds. These workers include employees in guest services, security, ticketing, and operations positions. These workers first unionized in 2019, settling a first contract in early 2020; since then the union has negotiated two successor contracts, including this most recent deal.
MASH also represents roughly 550 workers in the food and beverage operation of Fiserv Forum and associated properties who are employed by Levy Restaurants. Levy workers’ contract expired on June 30th; all provisions remain in effect except for the No Strike, No Lockout clause. Union negotiators continue bargaining with the company this week.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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