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The New York Mets recently had a meeting with the nonprofit organization Advocates for Minor Leaguers, facilitated in part by New York State Senator Jessica Ramos. This meeting was held to negotiate minor league player employment. Ramos previously wrote to Mets owner Steven Cohen in January, pleading with him to resolve several minor league wage and benefit issues. Check out the top sports betting sites!
There are seven proposed changes made by Mets minor leaguers mentioned in the petition, The Associated Press obtained a copy of Ramos’ letter to Cohen in January. The petitions include: Mets minor leaguers should pay weekly wages all year with no time off; the payment should include housing; three daily meals per day; compensation for road trips plus sleeper buses for overnight trips; full transportation accommodation if assist players are reassigned; payment for offseason training; and salary adjustment and per diems based on the cost of living in various affiliate home cities.
Ramos then underlined salary issues that are frequently less than $15,000 per year, as well as “inadequate housing, nutrition, travel arrangements, and more.”
According to The Athletic, the Mets refused to comment when asked about the meeting,
Starting this season, Major League Baseball will require teams to cover the housing costs of the majority of minor league players.
Last September, Mets minor leaguers with the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones were among those who wore teal wristbands with the hashtag #FairBall to protest workplace conditions as part of a protest arranged by Advocates for Minor Leaguers. During the roughly six-month season, those High-A players were paid a weekly minimum of $500.
In addition, Cohen agreed to investigate the Mets’ treatment of minor league players on Twitter last July. In response to a New York Daily News report castigating the company for neglecting to support housing costs or pay salaries to players throughout the extended preseason.
Cohen, a billionaire who is in his second season as Mets owner, has become incredibly popular with the fans and followers due to his willingness to invest. On opening day, the Mets’ major league roster had a $266 million payroll, second only to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Since taking over the Mets in 2020, Steve Cohen has been so responsive to the fans and cared for the team in a way that matches our devotion to the team,” Ramos said in a statement to The Associated Press. Check out the best bookmakers for betting on baseball.
She added positively: “I’m looking forward to meeting with Uncle Steve and the minor leaguers to figure out how to finish the job while also providing the same level of care to all of the players.”
MLB reached an agreement last month to settle a case involving whether teams violated minimum wages for minor leaguers. According to two people familiar with the discussions, the parties were discussing a possible settlement in the $200 million range.
In 2021, minor league salaries increased, with full-season minor leaguers earning between $12,000 and $16,800 per season. The federal poverty line was $12,880 for individuals.
“We applaud the Mets for their willingness to meet with Mets minor leaguers and our staff to discuss improving minor league pay and working conditions,” said Harry Marino, executive director of Advocates for Minor Leaguers.
He added, “The exploitation of minor leaguers is an industry dynamic that far predates Mr. Cohen’s purchase of the team. We hope that, under his leadership, the Mets will lead the league on this important issue.”
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