The MLS season is suspended until at least May 10th, leaving players, fans, and employees without 12 total matches scheduled to be played at Subaru Park in Chester, PA.
The Philadelphia Union are currently trying to work out a way to assist game-day employees who are to be without work through May 10th.
The club has released the following statement from a team spokesperson as of this morning:
“We are actively working on a plan and evaluating scenarios to assist and support our event staff workers who were impacted by the games suspended as a part of the MLS season postponement. We recognize the impact this unprecedented situation is causing and are committed to helping those affected.”
So far, the club has not come forth with any clear or concrete ideas on how to best assist those workers who will go without a scheduled work shift. The Union will miss seven total home matches while their USL Championship affiliate will miss four home matches – one every week in April.
Further details how whether the “event staff workers” include those employees that are under payroll with Spectra Venue Management and Ovation Food Services.
A request for comment was not returned from Spectra Venue Management or Comcast Spectacor on two separate occasions. Both Spectra and Ovation are subdivisions of the major company Comcast Spectacor.
Recently, Comcast Spectacor announced they would pay their game-day employees at the Wells Fargo Center. Those employees are directly employed by Spectacor and work the Flyers, Sixers, and Wings home games as well as any concerts or additional events throughout the calendar year.
Time will tell whether game day staff on the Union’s payroll and those on Spectacor’s books will receive compensation if any at all.
Many fans are hoping the Union will avoid following in the footsteps of the 76ers’ majority ownership group, Haris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. They are asking salaried staff to take a heavy pay-cut. Some high profile names like team General Manager Elton Brand have agreed to follow the new policy, however, it is not mandatory.
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Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
