SEIU Local 1 Event Services Members at Kauffman Stadium Win Strong New Contract

Kansas City, MO - Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 members at Kauffman Stadium – home to the Kansas City Royals – won a three-year contract that includes increased wages, holiday pay, and new Labor Relations language which will protect workers from unfair discipline and allow legal recourse for contract violations.

The Kansas City Royals employ close to 300 SEIU Local 1 Event Services workers, including Ushers, Tollbooth Attendants, Ticket Takers, Parking Lot Attendants, Restroom Attendants, and Ticket Sellers, who are tasked with providing a high-quality fan experience at Kauffman Stadium. These union members will now receive increased wages and longevity, as well as holiday pay for game day workers, which has been an ongoing fight since 1996.

"In every contract, holiday pay was the first thing the Royals took off the plate. We never even got to discuss it,” said two Local 1 members, who have both served as members of the bargaining committee for close to 30 years. “We work on Easter, the 4th of July, Labor Day - some of us have been out there, giving up every holiday, for 20 or 30 years. This new holiday pay will help us feel that our loyalty is finally being reciprocated."

"We're all out there working hard, and we should all be getting a good wage - so we stood together and held out for holiday pay and fair wages for everyone,” said Greg Staples, a Ticket Seller who also served as a member of the bargaining committee.

Additionally, Local 1 Event Services workers successfully defended their seniority rights, which management sought to eliminate, and won fair disciplinary procedures and mandatory training for supervisors through the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service (FMCS).

“Right now, Restroom Attendants are treated like we're not even people - no warnings, no coaching - so we're all afraid of losing our jobs all the time,” said Richard Franklin, who has served as a Restroom Attendant for 4 years. “Now we’ll have a fair process that is focused on coaching instead of firing, and supervisor training to ensure that we are treated with the respect and dignity that we deserve.”

This contract, which could take effect as soon as next week, represents a significant step forward in improving labor standards at Kauffman Stadium, but the fight isn’t over just yet.

"People might think that everything is resolved now with this new contract - but actions speak louder than words, and we fully intend to hold the Royals accountable to their commitments,” said Kevin Barron, who served as an Usher and a member of the bargaining committee for more than 20 years. “If they don't follow through, we'll have to file grievances and if that doesn't work, we'll have to take it a step further - whatever that step might be."

As Local 1 members move to implement these many positive changes, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is moving forward with their investigation of the Kansas City Royals, related to the federal charges filed against them in May of this year. Meanwhile, the Royals are moving forward with their plan to ask the public to build a new taxpayer-subsidized $2 billion stadium.

Workers at Kauffman Stadium believe that public support for the Royal’s proposed stadium project will hinge on both the outcome of that investigation and of these negotiations, including whether the Royals choose to honor their agreements over the next three years.

“I think the public is waiting to see what happens with that investigation, and if the Royals are willing to make good on their promises,” said Christian Rak, Missouri Director of SEIU Local 1. “If the Royals can show that they are taking responsibility for their actions and sticking to their agreements with working families, great. But if not, that is going to be a factor in whether the public will support this new stadium project.”

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Service Employees International Union Local 1 unites 45,000 workers throughout the Midwest, including janitors, security officers, airport workers, higher education faculty, food service workers and others. Local 1 is committed to improving the lives of its members and all working people by winning real economic justice and standing at the forefront of the fight for immigrant, racial and environmental justice.