11 set hunger strike over pay at (Oriole Park ) stadium, living wage sought for cleaners at Yard

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-bz.cleaners16aug16,0,2997484.story

By Hanah Cho | Sun reporter
August 16, 2007

Luis Larin once fasted six days to protest rising electricity rates in his native Guatemala.

Now a day laborer in Baltimore, Larin is among 11 current and former temporary workers who will begin a hunger strike Sept. 3 to secure higher wages for those who pick up the trash at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

"We think it's the only way we'll get attention and get a living wage for workers," Larin said through a Spanish interpreter.

The hunger strike announced yesterday is the latest move by the United Workers Association to pressure the Maryland Stadium Authority to meet its demand for better pay.

Camden Yard workers typically earn $7 an hour. They're asking for at least Baltimore's living wage of $9.62, even though the city's minimum wage doesn't apply to the workers since the stadium is state owned.

The stadium authority has contracted janitorial services to a Michigan firm, which in turn engages subcontractors that hire the temporary workers. The janitorial contract expires in January.

FULL story at link.