A’s must care about community, and unions
By Fabrizio Sasso
Executive Director, Sacramento CLC
As rumors swirl about the Oakland A’s considering relocating to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento as a temporary home before inevitably heading to Las Vegas in 2028, the Sacramento Central Labor Council stands in solidarity with the workers of Oakland and the surrounding community.
The relocation of the A’s will deal a devastating blow to union jobs in Oakland. Major League Baseball teams are not just sports franchises; they are institutions that provide stable employment for thousands of unionized workers, ranging from stadium staff to concessions workers to maintenance crews. The departure of the A’s would mean the loss of these crucial union jobs, leaving many families struggling to make ends meet and undermining the economic vitality of Oakland.
The potential move not only threatens the livelihoods of countless unionized workers, it strikes at the fabric of Oakland’s vibrant communities.
The news of the Oakland A’s impending move to Las Vegas has sent shockwaves through the city. While the city desperately wants to keep its beloved baseball team, the owner’s decision to relocate stems from a desire to pursue greener pastures and a huge taxpayer subsidy to build a ballpark rather than invest in a new ballpark in Oakland where the A’s would have had to foot the bill.
This move will have ripple effects throughout Oakland’s economy. Local businesses that rely on game-day traffic would suffer, from restaurants and bars to hotels and retail shops. The vibrancy of downtown Oakland, which has seen a resurgence in recent years, would be diminished without the influx of fans attending games and supporting local establishments.
While this temporary relocation will certainly have a positive economic impact for West Sacramento and downtown Sacramento if they were to come, let’s remember that this will only last for three seasons until they move to their permanent home in Las Vegas, leaving behind the same economic devastation here that is expected in Oakland.
There are also far-reaching consequences for the community beyond just employment and the economy. The Oakland A’s are more than just a baseball team; they are an integral part of the city’s identity and culture. Generations of Oakland and Sacramento area residents (including myself) have grown up cheering for the green and gold, and the team’s presence fosters a sense of pride and camaraderie that transcends the game itself.
The loss of the A’s will leave a void in the hearts of Oaklanders and fans and deprive the community of a unifying force.
If the team does use West Sacramento as a temporary home, it must ensure that the A’s are doing right by our community by providing union jobs at Sutter Health Park. Major League Baseball has a longstanding tradition of unionization, and any relocation should adhere to these standards.
The rights and livelihoods of workers must be protected, and the A’s must prioritize fair wages, benefits, and working conditions for all stadium employees as currently the Sacramento Rivercats, our hometown AAA team, does not operate union.
If the Oakland A’s were to move to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, it is imperative that the entire ballpark be unionized. All major league teams are unionized, and any attempt to circumvent this standard would be unacceptable.
As the Oakland A’s prepare to bid farewell to their longtime home, it’s crucial that they approach their temporary relocation to West Sacramento with integrity and respect.
West Sacramento is not a couch to crash on. The A’s and Sutter Health Park executives must do right by our community. The legacy of the A’s extends far beyond the confines of the baseball diamond, encompassing the values of fairness, inclusivity, and community engagement.
By ensuring that their temporary home in West Sacramento provides union jobs and supports local workers, the A’s can honor their legacy and leave a positive impact on the communities they touch.