Resolution on Baseball Union Solidarity

February 17, 2022

WHEREAS, the Major League Baseball Players Association and its members have been in a lockout since early December 2021 when their collective bargaining agreement expired.

WHEREAS, the MLBPA has fought for employment rights and protections for Major League Baseball athletes for decades.

WHEREAS, MLB management and the MLBPA are working to reach a new CBA, and Spring training will likely be delayed due to bargaining, principally over economic issues.

WHEREAS, the Mariners, whose home stadium is T-Mobile Park in Seattle, are members of the MLBPA and whose season may be affected by this lockout.

WHEREAS, the Seattle labor movement is working together to organize stadium workers in Seattle and win better wages, benefits, and job security.

WHEREAS, service and retail workers at T-Mobile Park are integral, just as the MLB players are, to every successful season.

WHEREAS, foodservice and concessions workers are represented by UNITE HERE Local 8, and janitorial workers are currently represented by SEIU6 Property Services NW.

WHEREAS, event security at T-Mobile Park was recently organized by SEIU6.

WHEREAS, guest services, Mariners security, and Mariners’ Team Store employees are currently unrepresented and actively seeking representation.

WHEREAS, union members across the region are fans of the Seattle Mariners and know that an injury to one is an injury to all.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that MLK Labor Secretary-Treasurer, Katie Garrow, is to send a letter to the Major League Baseball Players Association, stating a readiness for joint solidarity to uplift all workers at T-Mobile Park.

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the affiliates of MLK Labor support any and all actions that are strategically determined by MLBPA to support the players locally.