MLBPA Issues $1 Million Funds for Workers Affected by MLB Lockout, but It Might Not Be Enough to Help Them- Here’s Why

The past three months in Major League Baseball have been nothing less than a nightmare for the game of baseball. Two days after MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the cancelation of league games, MLB Players’ Union has issued a fund worth $1 million for the assistance of seasonal workers affected by the lockout.

Earlier on Tuesday, the players’ union didn’t accept the last proposal of the MLB owners within the owners’ imposed deadline. And that led Rob Manfred to cancel two series games for each team.

However, after losing league games, MLBPA on Friday came out to support the workers affected by the cancelation by launching a fund worth $1 million. But that still might not be enough to compensate for their wages.

Is MLBPA’s $1 million funds for the workers is just a PR Stunt?

Notably, with the cancelation of league games, the regular season will not start until April. And apart from baseball players and the owners, the seasonal workers who work during the regular season will also lose their salaries. 

However, considering the number of workers, this fund might not be enough for them. Because it will not be able to compensate for their paychecks.

Read more: MLB Lockout to Spiral Further as Four Owners Object to ‘Best and Final’ Proposal

According to MLB blogger Dan Clark, there are approx 39,000 workers at all 30 stadiums of MLB. And with just $1 million, each worker will get only $25.64 in a week. Which is far less than what they would have earned during the games. Dan even said that this is a PR stunt by the players’ union to win over the fans.

“At MLB’s 30 stadiums there are approx. 39,000 combined food service, hospitality, or other workers (park cars, cleaners, sell merch, ushers, security, etc.). Don’t be fooled by the token relief funds being set up,” Dan tweeted. “At just $1M, that’s only $25.64 per worker for a week of lost work. Read beyond the headlines. These people don’t genuinely care. This is a PR stunt to win over fans.”

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Before the cancelation of league games, MLB workers had already lost their income from spring training. Notably, in the current scenario, the chances of having spring training in MLB are very thin.