The union representing ushers at PNC Park avoided a strike after reaching a tentative agreement with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On Sunday ushers, ticket takers and ticket sellers working at PNC Park voted to strike after rejecting a contract proposal from the Pirates. Workers were planning to picket outside the Pirates’ next home game on Thursday.
After another meeting between the Pittsburgh Stadium Independent Employees Union and the Pirates on Tuesday afternoon, the ushers have signed a tentative agreement.
The workers will no longer picket outside of the Pirate’s home game against the Cincinnati Reds, but are still waiting to ratify the agreement at another meeting that has yet to be determined.
Pittsburgh Pirates Senior Vice President of Communications, Brian Warecki released a statement:
“We are very pleased to report that we have reached a tentative agreement with the (Pittsburgh Stadium Independent Employees Union) on a new collective bargaining agreement this afternoon. The Union will be scheduling a ratification vote for membership at the end of April, and advised us that employees will be reporting for work as scheduled. The passion, dedication and teamwork that our employees bring to the ballpark makes a difference to our organization, our players and our fans. We look forward to sharing in what is shaping up to be an exciting 2023 season at PNC Park.”
An update posted on the Pittsburgh Stadium Independent Employees Union website stated that the strike had been averted “for now”:
“In the event you didn’t already know, some of our board members met with Pirate management this afternoon. A tentative agreement was reached. We intend to hold yet another meeting to ratify this latest offer from the Pirates. A date and time for this meeting has yet (to be determined). At this time, please show up to work on Thursday, 4/20/23.”
Details about the tentative agreement have not been released.
