After the MLB and players union failed to reach a new labor agreement to end a lockout that had lasted into its third month, the Major League Baseball season’s first two series were cancelled Tuesday.
Players will not be the only ones without a paycheck. Stadium workers will also be affected. Some of those workers have seen their checks stop already.
“It just seems that we’re just turning around,” George Hancock, a leading concessions worker at Oriole Park in Baltimore, said. Hancock is entering his 11th year as a leader concessions worker at Camden Yards. “It seems that every year since the last two years, going on three now — there’s something wrong.”
Workers were mostly shut out in 2020 due to a shorter season and empty stands. They had to adapt to Covid safety protocols and stadium capacity limitations .
Hancock relies on baseball for his survival. He said that his mind is spinning right now, particularly with rising consumer prices.
It’s affecting everyone. Gas, food, and chicken wings are all on the rise. He said that it’s the daily necessities you see rising: an additional 50c, an extra dollar and an extra 75c.”
“When you don’t work and it adds up it’s more on your shoulders.”
Michael Cobb, a forklift operator, stated Tuesday that the league’s announcement was “a setback.” Cobb, who works at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., has been working there since 2008. He said he and other warehouse workers will be stocking the stadium with food, beverages, and would continue to work full-time at this point.
All of this is now on hold due to the lockout and the new delay. Cobb is reliant on the BetMGM retail betting sportsbook near the stadium for two to three days per week, and any help he can get through relatives.
He said that he needed to work to make ends meet and to keep him afloat until the end.
Natalie Greening, an Aramark employee, sells beer at Fenway Park in Boston part-time. She has been there since 16 years. The Red Sox will now face the New York Yankees in Bronx, rather than playing at home against Tampa Bay Rays.
Opening Day is a significant day for concessions workers, both economically and socially. Six months has passed since you last saw all your co-workers. She said, “You catch up.” It’s more than a job.
Due to the delayed start, she will be unable to receive four games worth of pay. She estimated that it would cost her $1,000 in tips and shift pay. Greening believes that she will be fine for now, thanks to her second job as school secretary. However, MLB must not cancel any games during April.
Greening, a union worker, said that she was “very open to the players trying to get fair contracts.”
“If they have any questions, we will be there. She said, “We will be there for them.”
UNITE HERE, the union that all three workers are members, reiterated this sentiment Wednesday in an email statement. It represents thousands of people in 21 out of 30 MLB stadiums.
D. Taylor, International Union President, said that UNITE HERE stood in solidarity with the baseball players currently being unfairly locked out by team owners.
Referring to Major League Baseball Players Association (the players union), he stated, “UNITE HERE is looking forward to providing whatever support to the MLBPA to advance their fight, and get them one step closer towards winning.”
Major League Baseball didn’t immediately respond to our request for comment.
In a Tuesday letter to fans, Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner, did not mention stadium workers. It is not clear if the MLB or its teams will provide financial support for stadium workers during this delay. Each MLB team donated $1,000,000 to the ballpark workers at the start of the 2020 pandemic.
Talks between MLB and players association resumed Thursday in New York. ESPN reported.
The players, fans, and park workers will all be watching for updates.
“I hope they will quickly agree to open up again, because the city and the workers both need them. It’s a great experience for the fans. Hancock stated that he enjoys it. It’s the national sport. Baseball is our favorite sport.
“We want to get back into a regular routine as quickly as possible.
