Victory! Living Wage at Camden Yards
Members and allies of the United Workers celebrated tonight’s historic victory at a vigil and rally at the Light Street Presbytarian Church held just hours after the MSA voted to pay cleaners a living wage. Members and allies made speeches, sang together, cut off the yellow unity bands and held a candle light vigil. We reflected on the long and difficult struggle to get to victory and on the next steps that must be taken to ensure the current cleaners all get an opportunity to work at a living wage when the new contract goes into effect at the start of the next baseball season.
Following the MSA Board meeting on Sept 6, 2007 the United Workers called off the planned Living Wages Hunger Strike and declared a living wages victory for the cleaners at Camden Yards. The Living Wages Hunger Strike was called off in response to the Maryland Stadium Authority’s decision to re-bid the current cleaning contract and to include living wages in the request for proposals.
While celebrating the living wages victory, the United Workers remains committed to ensuring that working conditions at Camden Yards improve. The United Workers will work to ensure that the current cleaners at MSA sports facilities have a fair opportunity to keep their jobs and to work at the new living wage rate.
“After three long and difficult years of struggle, we’re very excited about today’s living wage victory at Camden Yards,” said Carl Johnson of the United Workers. “Our next priority will be making sure that the current cleaners get a fair opportunity to keep their jobs next season and to work at a living wage.”
Cross posted at United Workers Unity Blog
