PNC Park Ushers, Ticket Takers and Sellers Vote to Go On Strike

PNC Park ushers, ticket takers and ticket sellers who are members of the Pittsburgh Stadium Independent Employees Union (PSIEU) voted to go on strike following their most recent meeting on Sunday, April 16, per the PSIEU website.

The PSIEU and the Pirates have been locked in tense negotiations since before the start of the season, when the union threatened to strike during the team’s home opener if their demands were not met. The union voted to reject the Pirates’ most recent proposal, so the strike commences.

Among the union’s demands are higher wages: their salary lags well-below the $15 per hour offered at Acrisure Stadium.

The Pirates, currently amidst a seven-game road trip, won’t play any games in Pittsburgh until April 20, giving the organization time to work out a deal. Per the PSIEU website, union members plan to picket outside the gates at PNC Park ahead of Thursday’s game.

The University of Pittsburgh’s baseball team faces the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Backyard Brawl on April 19 at PNC Park, another event that the strike could impact.

At this time, it’s unclear just how far the ramifications of the strike will reach, or what percentage of relevant ballpark employees are part of the PSIEU.

Pirates’ Statement

Pittsburgh Baseball Now reached out to the Pirates for comment, and received the following response from Brian Warecki, Senior Vice President of Communications.

“We were disappointed that PSIEU did not ratify the proposed agreement yesterday. We have bargained in good faith with union leadership under the guidance of a federal mediator for several months. We have offered unprecedented wage increases and other economic benefits, including:

An increased lump sum “retro” payment representing the wage increase for all hours worked during the 2022 season.

Wages for the 2023 season would increase by as much as 32 percent compared to 2021 wages.

By the 2025 season, hourly wages would increase by as much as 40 percent compared to 2021.

Under our latest proposal, Ticket Sellers will make $19 per hour and Greeters $18.65 per hour in 2023. Ushers will make a base pay of $12.40 per hour in 2023, while continuing to be permitted to accept tips as they prefer.

We were twice told by union leadership that they would take the proposed agreement back to its membership with their full support. It would be extremely disappointing if members of the union would choose to strike under these circumstances.

We remain hopeful that the PSIEU membership will ratify an agreement soon. If, however, some members choose not to show up for work, we have contingency plans in place and will be well positioned to host our fans moving forward.”