http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Chiefs-take-key-perk-away-from-stadium-8217-s-g?urn=nfl-wp3642In the past, ticket takers and
parking lot attendants at Arrowhead Stadium have had a nice perk of the
job. After their duties were complete, they were allowed to watch the
rest of the
Kansas City Chiefs game from inside the stadium. Now the Chiefs are
taking away the privilege.
Employees were recently notified that they would no longer be allowed
to watch the game from the standing-only area they've gone to in the
past. Ticket-taker Steve Warner
explained the situation to Kansas City's Fox 4:
"We were told that when we work and we are
done, we are to clock out and leave the premises. [...] That's when
everybody was very, very, very upset. knowing that. When we go and work
hard at the gates and knowing that it's hot outside or freezing in
January, even during the season, you get your benefit of going and
watching the game."
"You work hard, and plain and simple. We don't get paid a lot of money. [...] Why take that privilege away from everybody?"
The team issued a prepared statement that provided little insight
into the decision. "We're working to develop policies and practices that
provide the best possible experience for our fans and fair and
appropriate compensation and benefits for our employees," the team
wrote.
If the Chiefs gave a valid reason for the change in policy -- people
were cutting out early from their work assignments, the team wanted to
sell more tickets to the standing-room area -- then at least there would
be a chance to defend them. A blanket statement like the one released
allows people like myself to fairly make ridiculous, irresponsible
statements like "the Chiefs clearly hate the working man."
On the other hand, the argument from the Chiefs workers in favor of
watching the game is based solely on the "this is the way it's always
been" defense. Working before an event doesn't necessarily entitle you
to attend it or else wedding seating charts would be filled with
florists and busboys.