The first annual Union Night at Citi Field was a hit both for the hometown Mets and for organized labor.
1,700 union members family and friends turned out to see the Mets take on the Atlanta Braves on September 29, the last day of the regular season. Attendees received a free t-shirt, and unions who bought large groups of tickets participated in a pre-game warning track salute and were recognized on the scoreboard.
Union Night was produced in partnership between Labor 411, the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO and the New York State AFL-CIO. New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento threw out the first pitch to Workers United Secretary-Treasurer Edgar Romney Sr.
In addition to the unions who participated in Union Night, Citi Field is a labor friendly venue. Unionized workers built the stadium and members of multiple locals staff events at the stadium. (Read our series of blogs including interviews with SEIU 32BK’s Greg Ingram and MLBPA Director of Operations Chris Capuano.)
“The New York Mets have shown a true appreciation for the role of organized labor in this state,” Cilento said. “We thank the New York Mets and Labor 411 for working with us to make this day a tremendous success as we proudly demonstrate that New York State is in fact union strong.”
“Labor was in the house, and we brought the Mets some of our impregnable union luck,” added Labor 411 Founder and President Cherri Senders. “Nothing beats enjoying a baseball game in a stadium packed with our union brothers and sisters. We expect to be back bigger and better than ever for Union Night at Citi Field in 2020.”
For those keeping score, the Mets concluded their season by defeating the Atlanta Braves on a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 11th inning.
Read the New York State, AFL-CIO blog.
Check out some great photos from out VIP pre-game reception at McFadden’s here.
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