PNC Park ushers union avoids strike after reaching tentative agreement with Pirates
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The union representing ushers at PNC Park avoided a strike after reaching a tentative agreement with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Stadium Independent Employees Union, or PSIEU, said the Pirates' latest contract offer was rejected and a strike vote was accepted. Stadium ushers, ticket takers and ticket sellers at PNC Park were planning to picket outside the Pirates' next home game on Thursday.
The ushers said they didn't get the movement they hoped for but they signed a tentative agreement on Tuesday. The workers won't picket outside the home game against the Cincinnati Reds, but members still need a ratification meeting.
While negotiating a contract, the union had said it wanted fair wages. The president said ushers earned about $9 an hour in 2005 and were making $9.35 an hour almost two decades later.
Union spokesperson Brian Warecki released a statement, saying:
"We are very pleased to report that we have reached a tentative agreement with the PSIEU 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."