With the season still in question nearly two months after Major League Baseball shut down spring training, the Seattle Mariners, like the rest of the league’s clubs, have had to evaluate how to move forward as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause financial stress.
To ease this, and avoid potential layoffs or furloughs, the Mariners will reduce pay for some staffers under Uniform Employee Contracts (UEC) starting June 1, a club source confirmed Tuesday.
The Athletic first reported the impending pay cuts, which will run through the end of the baseball year on Oct. 31, and include pay reductions of at least 20% for UEC employees with salaries of $60,000 or higher. About half of the UEC employees are below that mark, and will receive normal pay through the end of the baseball year.
Those impacted by the alterations, including the Mariners coaching staff, those in coaching and player development roles with the club’s minor league affiliates — including Triple-A Tacoma — other on-field staff and scouts, were notified this week.
UEC employees were also notified there would be no layoffs or furloughs during the five-month period this is in effect, and their benefits will continue.
Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto and manager Scott Servais are among those who will take salary reductions.
Seattle’s pay reductions are a response to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s previous suspension of all UECs. It was reported in late April that Manfred would take this step to allow layoffs, furlows or pay reductions in April, and the suspension went into effect May 1.
“Our clubs rely heavily on revenue from tickets/concessions, broadcasting/media, licensing and sponsorships to pay salaries,” Manfred wrote in an email lat month obtained by The Associated Press. “In the absence of games, these revenue streams will be lost or substantially reduced, and clubs will not have sufficient funds to meet their financial obligations.
“The impact of the suspension of the UEC on your personal employment situation will be determined by your club.”
The Mariners opted to continue full pay of UEC employees through May 31 following the announcement.
