NEW YORK – Locked-out Major League Baseball players have launched a US$1 million fund to support workers affected by canceled games.
The Players Association revealed that the fund will be administered by the union and the AFL-CIO. It will be distributed to stadium workers and other workers financially affected by baseball’s ninth work stoppage, which was in its 92nd day on Friday.
Training camp matches did not start as scheduled on February 26. And on Tuesday, commissioner Rob Manfred canceled each team’s first two regular-season series, which was scheduled to begin March 31.
“Many are not seen or heard, but they are essential to the entertainment experience of our games,” union executive committee members Andrew Miller and Max Scherzer said in a statement. Unfortunately, they will also be among those affected by the owners’ lockout and the cancellation of games. Through this fund, we want to let them know that they have our support. »
The union has identified members of broadcast and concession crews, electricians, ushers, security guards, transportation attendants and janitors among essential workers for MLB games.
“This fund is intended to support workers most affected by the lockout but whose livelihoods have been ignored by owners in their efforts to pressure players into accepting an unfair deal,” said union executive director Tony Clark in a statement.
