Updated: Pegulas and arena/hospitality workers

[StuckinFL]

https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2020/03/13/these-are-the-nhl-owners-who-have-not-agreed-to-pay-arena-staff-for-suspended-events/

Dunno if this has been discussed here yet or not, but this actually surprised me. Given how their PR image tries to project the caring and generous attitude.

[bunomatic]

They’ll be waiting for some form of gov’t assistance to be announced. We can’t expect billionaires to help the people that work for them.

[Doohicksie]

That won't play well in a blue collar city.

[Wyldnwoody44]

I'm very torn on this issue, I just left a socialist country and things from my oculus did not look well regarding the general public, even those who get payed monthly by the govt. 

I don't think the owners are responsible per se for the circumstances that have been occuring, at least not legally. However in an ethical sense I would hope there would be some emotion behind the scene. The morality of man really rears its head these days when things aren't going so swimmingly. 

Sad state of humanity 

 

[LTS]

I'd like to have the time to dig into this and get information before I go around casting judgment.

Are the workers employees of PSE?

Are the workers in other arenas employees of their respective franchises?

I do think there's an aspect that regardless stepping up to create a program to help these employees out would be good.  Of course the thinking seems to be that they'll get paid when they work the games later so why pay them now.  I think the program needs to be able to perhaps pay them partial salaries to keep some level of income flowing.

That said, there is also an aspect of, you create your own reality.  I once had a job where I was paid hourly and due to a natural disaster I was unable to report to work and I didn't get paid.  That event went a long way to making sure I was never an hourly employee again.  That said, not all of the people working at the arena have the same options available to them that I did.

It's a tough call all around.  People will be hit by this, in all walks of life.

 

[bunomatic]

I’m reminded of the barn raising after a bad tornado when the town would pitch in to help those that lost everything and everyone would be set back on their feet. A simplistic view perhaps but in times of hardship people used to pull together to help the needy. Not so much anymore or am I missing it ?

what I’m seeing now is the hoarding of toilet paper and the emptying of store shelves and in some cases if the people on the internet can be believed is that some cretins are looking to sell the truckloads of toilet paper at grossly inflated prices when things get real bad. We’ll see if this plays out in the days and weeks ahead but I’m hoping humans are better than that. 

Personally the wife and myself have been prepping for what we call the zombie apocalypse for a couple years now with dried goods and canned food etc so we’ll be o.k. Without the need to go out into large crowds to shop.

[Weave]

2 minutes ago, bunomatic said:

I’m reminded of the barn raising after a bad tornado when the town would pitch in to help those that lost everything and everyone would be set back on their feet. A simplistic view perhaps but in times of hardship people used to pull together to help the needy. Not so much anymore or am I missing it ?

what I’m seeing now is the hoarding of toilet paper and the emptying of store shelves and in some cases if the people on the internet can be believed is that some cretins are looking to sell the truckloads of toilet paper at grossly inflated prices when things get real bad. We’ll see if this plays out in the days and weeks ahead but I’m hoping humans are better than that. 

Personally the wife and myself have been prepping for what we call the zombie apocalypse for a couple years now with dried goods and canned food etc so we’ll be o.k. Without the need to go out into large crowds to shop.

We are definitely a society that is only concerned with ourselves.  We can’t even get the masses to stay home and avoid public gatherings to slow this thing.

[nfreeman]

I think it’s also worth noting that none of us has any idea about the amounts and types of charitable donations the Pegulas are making in connection with this crisis.  Someone who is outraged about the arena workers might feel differently if he/she knew, e.g., that the Pegulas have donated, say, $2 million to healthcare clinics and other similar virus-related causes.  

[darksabre]

Just now, nfreeman said:

I think it’s also worth noting that none of us has any idea about the amounts and types of charitable donations the Pegulas are making in connection with this crisis.  Someone who is outraged about the arena workers might feel differently if he/she knew, e.g., that the Pegulas have donated, say, $2 million to healthcare clinics and other similar virus-related causes.  

The Pegulas have been AWOL for months. 

I think it'd be great publicity for them if they were to announce they're participating in charitable efforts during this time. 

But I don't think it's unreasonable for people to assume they're not. 

[TrueBlueGED]

33 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

I think it’s also worth noting that none of us has any idea about the amounts and types of charitable donations the Pegulas are making in connection with this crisis.  Someone who is outraged about the arena workers might feel differently if he/she knew, e.g., that the Pegulas have donated, say, $2 million to healthcare clinics and other similar virus-related causes.  

I actually think such a decision would be worthy of scrutiny. Plenty of people are and are going to donate to those causes, including governmental resources. Nobody is going to do squat for arena workers other than those directly associated with the team. 

[MakeSabresGrr8Again]

I wouldn't be too concerned about the janitorial staff being left out.....what I would be more inclined too remember in today's world is that those janitors are the ones that will be counted on to go in 1st and disinfect their offices. 

[matter2003]

Honestly, if you are expecting to make ends meet by relying on part time jobs like this, you probably should be re-evaluating your life choices during this time and making better ones moving forward. Just saying. It's not like they won't be getting paid for the games when the season resumes.  In effect, these people are expecting to be paid twice?  Must be a nice gig if you can get it.  

 

Wish my boss would pay me twice for pushing up code every day...

Edited March 14, 2020 by matter2003

[TrueBlueGED]

1 minute ago, matter2003 said:

Honestly, if you are expecting to make ends meet by relying on part time jobs like this, you probably should be re-evaluating your life choices during this time and making better ones moving forward.

Or, we could have some basic humanity. 

[matter2003]

29 minutes ago, TrueBlueGED said:

I actually think such a decision would be worthy of scrutiny. Plenty of people are and are going to donate to those causes, including governmental resources. Nobody is going to do squat for arena workers other than those directly associated with the team. 

Maybe its time they do something for themselves for a change.  Taking this time to properly assess their situation and then take an ACTIVE role in changing it for themselves like enrolling in colleges using government grants to get a degree that will pay them something more than part time minimum wage would be a good start...

2 minutes ago, TrueBlueGED said:

Or, we could have some basic humanity. 

Is it really humanity, or is it like giving out participation trophies to avoid having the real, hard, truthful conversations nobody wants to have?

Edited March 14, 2020 by matter2003

[MakeSabresGrr8Again]

1 minute ago, matter2003 said:

Maybe its time they do something for themselves for a change.  Taking this time to properly assess their situation and then take an ACTIVE role in changing it for themselves like enrolling in colleges using government grants to get a degree that will pay them something more than part time minimum wage would be a good start...

This is the most ignorant post I have ever read in my life.....and yes, I made the choice to read it unfortunately and am now even more uneducated for having done it.

[Neo]

My familiarity with arena economics is ancient.  Back in the day, the three largest sources of arena wages were The City, Sportservice and the Sabres.  I can neither indict nor defend anyone today.

However, an announcement of the decision and the thought that went into it would certainly be welcome.  Between the obvious “no one is entitled” and the equally obvious “no one is required” lies the meaningful.  “What are you doing and why?”

The last question is being offered to me daily in the form of emails from institutions I choose to affiliate with and patronize.

Edited March 14, 2020 by Neo

[Stoner]

8 minutes ago, matter2003 said:

Honestly, if you are expecting to make ends meet by relying on part time jobs like this, you probably should be re-evaluating your life choices during this time and making better ones moving forward. Just saying. It's not like they won't be getting paid for the games when the season resumes.  In effect, these people are expecting to be paid twice?  Must be a nice gig if you can get it.  

 

Wish my boss would pay me twice for pushing up code every day...

Is nausea a symptom? I might need a test. This is clearly an angle to the story for another day. The retort to the old saw about pull yourselves up by your bootstraps applies — not everyone has boots.

[TrueBlueGED]

8 minutes ago, matter2003 said:

Maybe its time they do something for themselves for a change.  Taking this time to properly assess their situation and then take an ACTIVE role in changing it for themselves like enrolling in colleges using government grants to get a degree that will pay them something more than part time minimum wage would be a good start...

Is it really humanity, or is it like giving out participation trophies to avoid having the real, hard, truthful conversations nobody wants to have?

"I don't agree with your life choices without knowing a single thing about your life, therefore you deserve to face financial hardship" is pretty inhumane. But you do you. 

[Neo]

Top of my head for magnitude, not accuracy ..

300 people earning $15/hr for 12 hrs/week = $54 thousand per week, or $200 thousand per month.  Can I say $400 thousand through the balance of 2020?

Dear Terry and Jerry:   My name is Neo.  Thank you for a lifetime of joy.   Now, on to the reason I’m writing ...

Edited March 14, 2020 by Neo

[Neo]

18 minutes ago, matter2003 said:

Honestly, if you are expecting to make ends meet by relying on part time jobs like this, you probably should be re-evaluating your life choices during this time and making better ones moving forward. Just saying. It's not like they won't be getting paid for the games when the season resumes.  In effect, these people are expecting to be paid twice?  Must be a nice gig if you can get it.  

 

Wish my boss would pay me twice for pushing up code every day...

You’ve captured one of my organizing principals in life.  I set them aside, though, during pandemics.  I know you're a good man. Don’t get me wrong.  I’ve just moved to a different zip code for this one.

Edited March 14, 2020 by Neo

[Ogre]

12 minutes ago, matter2003 said:

Maybe its time they do something for themselves for a change.  Taking this time to properly assess their situation and then take an ACTIVE role in changing it for themselves like enrolling in colleges using government grants to get a degree that will pay them something more than part time minimum wage would be a good start...

Is it really humanity, or is it like giving out participation trophies to avoid having the real, hard, truthful conversations nobody wants to have?

Wow. People are under employed because of life choices now, eh? I dropped out of college not because I'm a dolt and made bad decisions, those bad decisions were made for me by a high school guidance councilor that didn't send my transcripts along in time for my financial aid to kick in. Losing my aid disqualified me for the equal amount in scholarships that the institution was giving me. That and many other stories told around the country over years and years. Sure, YOU were lucky enough that you didn't have to spend your college age years working full time to help a family that was dealing with a dying parent. It's very elitist to assume that everyone is coasting into view from your perspective. FTR I did end up pulling myself up by the bootstraps, now bend over so I can kick you right in the ass with it.

[Ogre]

30 minutes ago, matter2003 said:

enrolling in colleges

And college isn't the savior you're making it out to be. I have four people in my apprenticeship that have college degrees. One of them has a masters. Now they're adding a four year apprenticeship just to have a career with a decent wage and benefits.

[tom webster]

They announced they will he paid if games are canceled.

The money is a lot more then some if the calculations.

Decisions such as these are not taken lightly.

 

[SwampD]

Aren’t the games merely postponed for now? I bet they’re thinking that the arena workers will eventually get paid when they do actually play the games.

I think we should hold of condemning anyone just yet.

Edited March 14, 2020 by SwampD

[darksabre]

Waiting for the NHL to cancel games could be weeks or months.

Weak.