PNC Park workers authorize strike
The Pittsburgh Pirates organization expressed disappointment Monday in response to park workers at PNC Park rejecting a proposed agreement Sunday.
The stadium workers — part of the Pittsburgh Stadium Independent Employees Union — voted Sunday night to hit the picket lines and strike after rejecting the latest contract offering from the team.
“We have bargained in good faith with union leadership under the guidance of a federal mediator for several months,” said Pirates senior vice president of communications Brian Warecki. “We’ve offered unprecedented wage increases and other economic benefits.”
The PSIEU represents game day employees who work as ushers/greeters and hosts, ticket sellers and takers at Acrisure Stadium and PNC Park.
Details from the rejected proposed agreement provided in a statement Monday from the Pirates include an increased lump sum “retro” payment representing the wage increase for all hours worked during the 2022 season, an increase of up to 32% for the 2023 season, compared to 2021 wages and an hourly wage increase by as much as 40% (compared to 2021) by the 2025 season.
The latest proposal provided Monday includes a $19 per hourly wage for ticket sellers and $18.65 per hour for greeters in 2023.
Ushers would make a base pay of $12.40 per hour in 2023 and would be permitted to accept tips.
“We were told twice by union leadership that they would take the proposed agreement back to its membership with their full support. It would be extremely disappointing if members of the union would choose to strike under these circumstances,” Warecki said.
The union’s board said it plans to contact Pirate management to expedite the next steps.
The Pirates don’t play at PNC Park until Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds. Striking employees announced plans to picket outside PNC Park starting at 4 p.m. Thursday, according to their website.
Warecki said Monday the Pirates remain hopeful the PSIEU membership will ratify an agreement soon.
“If, however, some members choose not to show up for work, we have contingency plans in place and will be well positioned to host our fans moving forward,” Warecki said.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.