Union workers to pass out leaflets at two Cactus League games Sunday in support of minor league play

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AZcentral

In an effort to raise awareness among baseball fans about the plight of minor league players who often make less than minimum wage, the United Food and Commercial Workers' union will be passing out leaflets at four select spring training games this weekend, including two Cactus League games in the Valley on Sunday.

"We are leafleting at these games to support minor league ballplayers," said Ed Chambers, president of UFCW Local 1625 in Florida. "We support all workers, irrespective of industry, looking for fair wages and benefits and improved working conditions. Minor league players are no exception."

On Saturday, Chambers and his fellow union members leafleted the Yankees-Orioles game in Tampa, Fla., and the Tigers-Cardinals game in Lakeland, Fla. On Sunday, Jim McLaughlin, president of UFCW Local 99 in Arizona and his union members will leaflet the Royals-Cubs game in Surprise and the Dodgers-Giants game in Scottsdale.

"To have these unions come forward and have their members take time out of their weekend to do some leafleting and get that information out there to the average baseball fan, it's huge for us," said Garrett Broshuis, a former minor league pitcher and now a St. Louis-based attorney who is leading the charge in a class action lawsuit against Major League Baseball, each of its 30 teams, and former Commissioner Bud Selig.

FULL story at link.



Pitchers warm up their arms during Spring Training at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 1, 2015.
(Photo: Patrick Breen/azcentral sports)

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/cactus-league/2015/03/28/united-food-commercial-workers-spring-training-minor-league-leaflets-wages/70592956/

[Depaysement]

1. Good

Pay is horrible. Conditions are often poor.

[mrmpa]

2. Knew the mother of a player..........

in the minor leagues. Her son was assistant high school basketball coach for my nephew's team. Talking to her, I learned that playing baseball he made $400 a month. This was for a team who got so much tax money to build their stadium.

MLB treats these pleyers like fodder. It used to be that a player would be in the minor league system a couple of years and then be called up to play in the majors. No more a few years ago I saw the Pirates call up a catcher from the minors (late in the season) he was 30 years old, and was called a rookie. He wasn't back the next season. MLB keeps these players in the minors because they make a lot of money from these teams, the less money going out, the more for them to keep.

MLB's Player's Association should be organizing these players

[Coventina]

3. Darn! I just got back from the Giants game in Scottsdale!

I won't be there tomorrow for the leaflets!

Today, the Giants were playing their minor league players.

It ended in at tie game!

2-2!

[midnight]

4. I had no idea that these minor league players were payed so poorly-thanks for the info.

[Pooka Fey]

5. K&R Good info for baseball fans