The Players Association (MLBPA) announced they are launching a $1 million fund to support workers who have been affected by the lockout and cancelation of regular season games by MLB owners.
The fund will be distributed to stadium workers and others who face financial hardships through no fault of their own due to the lockout. The announcement comes just a few days after MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced the league would delay the start of the regular season and canceled the first two series.
“There are a lot of people who make our game great. Many aren’t seen or heard, but they are vital to the entertainment experience of our games,” MLBPA executive board leaders Andrew Miller and Max Scherzer said in a joint statement.
“Unfortunately, they will also be among those affected by the owner-imposed lockout and their cancellation of games. Through this fund, we want to let them know they have our support.”
The Players Association will work with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) to determine the hardest-hit communities and align resource distribution to those who need it most.
“Whether you’re a worker on the baseball field, or a worker behind the scenes, we all deserve respect and dignity on the job,” AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler said. “The labor movement will do everything in our power to support these and all workers.”
Aside from the players, MLB employs thousands of workers, including concession crews, electricians, ushers, security, transportation workers, janitors, groundskeepers and media crews.
“This fund is intended to support workers who are most affected by the MLB-imposed lockout but whose livelihoods have been disregarded by the owners in their efforts to pressure players into accepting an unfair deal,” MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said.
The lockout is now more than three months long and there doesn’t appear to be a resolution in sight after the players voted to unanimously reject MLB’s “best and final offer” earlier this week.
Justin Turner: MLB Planned for ‘shutting the game down’ with lockout
Justin Turner expressed his disappointment and frustration with the lockout, along with a belief MLB intentionally planned for this type of scenario.
Turner additionally noted Dodger Stadium workers and Camelback Ranch employees who are impacted by the lockout, and reiterated the MLBPA’s stance and focus is for improving the overall economics for the next generation of players.
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