The Cincinnati Reds announced on Thursday evening that they would begin to layoff and furlough some employees beginning on June 1st. Here is their statement:
The COVID-19 pandemic has rewritten the course of the 2020 MLB season. We are continuing to modify our operations to adapt to this new reality, including a combination of pay reductions and temporary furloughs for employees that will take effect June 1st. These changes involve under 25% of our employees being placed on temporary furloughs. Like many other industries negatively impacted by COVID-19, we respect the sacrifices being made by our staff at this time. The Reds are confident that baseball will be back, and that the culture the Reds have created as an organization will withstand this unfortunate disruption to our normal course of business. We continue to be prepared and ready for Reds baseball to return to Great American Ball Park.
C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic is reporting that furloughed employees will still receive benefits.
The Reds were among nearly all teams that pledged to pay, in full, team employees through the month of May. But while some teams have said they will continue to do so for the entire season, the Reds were not one of them. The Seattle Mariners will not furlough or layoff anyone, but they are reducing salary by at least 20% for those making at least $60,000 or more according to a report from the Associated Press. The Phillies are also keeping every full-time employee around with no layoffs or furloughs through October, though salary reductions may happen according to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The San Diego Padres are also keeping baseball operations employees for the entire year, but like Seattle, are also seeking salary reductions for those making $60,000 or more. There may be other teams that I missed that are also doing this.
Guess the Reds Community Fund doesn’t start at home.
It seems with the CARES Act, the extra $600 per week would be a way to go for those making less than $60,000 per year. Does anyone know if minor league players can draw unemployment? There are recent changes that allow self employed people to do so.