Bucks, Alliance for Good Jobs announce agreement stipulating minimum wage for arena workers

“Our ownership group has never wavered in its commitment to not only build a world-class arena, but to create jobs and drive economic growth in a truly meaningful way for the Milwaukee community.Through this agreement we’re fulfilling our commitment to generate high-quality and long-lasting jobs for the citizens of Milwaukee who need them most. This program is absolutely vital to the long-term success of the project.”

“This comprehensive landmark agreement establishes a community standard in Milwaukee for good, family-supporting jobs, and ensures that they are filled by our people who need them the most. This agreement demonstrates how labor, community organizations and business can work collaboratively to address Milwaukee’s good jobs crisis. We are proud to help shape a transformative project and excited about the implications for Milwaukee's economy, workers and neighborhoods.”

“Today, the Milwaukee Bucks came to a historic agreement with our neighbors in Milwaukee that seeks to protect workers’ rights and improve the economic standing of Milwaukee families. Making sure that workers receive fair pay for an honest day’s work was a demand that many legislators brought to the table as their bottom line in negotiations on the Bucks arena last year. While there were other pieces of the Bucks deal that I disagreed with, the promise of bringing good jobs to our neighbors put me in the ‘yes’ column when the final vote was tallied. I’m glad the Bucks made good on their promise, and am hopeful that this is just the beginning of a strong, mutually beneficial relationship between Milwaukee residents and a business that listens to them. Permanent, living wage jobs to our neighbors who need them the most and the ability to unionize freely without interference or intimidation were paramount in getting support for the Bucks arena deal. The agreement announced today is a ‘first of its kind’ in Milwaukee that will protect employees and ensure a brighter future for our neighbors by guaranteeing they have the jobs they need to get ahead. These priorities represent the shared values of our community and should be made whenever our public resources are given to a private project. With the signing of this agreement, the Bucks and the community have issued a simple challenge to other major developers hoping to come to Milwaukee: respect and contribute.”

“When we negotiated the Bucks deal, the team promised they would take care of their workers and be a change agent in Milwaukee. Today was a big step towards making good on that pledge. I hope this deal sets the bar for other companies to be good corporate citizens as well. This deal has been a long time coming. It wasn’t easy taking it from what Republicans originally proposed to what ultimately became law. The Walker economy has been tough on Milwaukee. But today’s agreement by a Wisconsin business based in Milwaukee is a tremendous commitment to their workers, our economy and our community. I’ve been a Bucks fan since I was a little girl and I can honestly say this is one of the biggest off-court moments for the team in my lifetime.”

“I am glad to see the Bucks follow through on their commitment to provide leadership to create the type of good-paying jobs that will build ladders of opportunity to the middle class in the neighborhoods that really need them. We are glad to celebrate with local labor and community leaders an agreement that commits to creating good jobs here in Milwaukee. Our strong middle class made the United States and Wisconsin the envy of the world – and I applaud the Bucks and Alliance for Good Jobs for making the commitment to growing living wage jobs in Wisconsin."

"As I said last July when I cast my vote in favor of building the new Milwaukee Bucks arena, this is a once-in-a-generation, billion dollar project that will bring thousands of construction jobs and many permanent service jobs to the city of Milwaukee, as well as keep the income tax revenue from NBA players from flowing into our state budget. What was only a promise at the time -- that the jobs for those building the facility and working in the arena would pay a living wage and prioritize local hiring from Milwaukee zip codes with high unemployment is now a reality with the announcement of today's agreement. I commend local labor officials and the Bucks ownership on working together to strike this deal, and I hope that others take notice that when labor and management come to the table and work in good faith, the wider community can enjoy the benefits of economic development. I look forward to following the project's progress and hope that this will be the first of many major new developments that we can attract to the city, and continue building a more prosperous and more equitable Milwaukee into the 21st Century."

“The signing of this jobs agreement is a historic and transformative moment for hardworking families across Wisconsin,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “After years of Republican attacks on family wages and worker rights, I am glad we were able to capitalize on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in our state and strengthen Wisconsin’s middle class. Keeping the Bucks in Wisconsin, creating quality jobs and partnering with community leaders to raise worker wages has been a win-win for families across our state. The agreement established between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Alliance for Good Jobs sets a high bar for future collaborative efforts involving public and private investments,” added Shilling. “This is a major step forward for Wisconsin’s working families. I am proud to support this ongoing effort to invest in infrastructure, create quality jobs and advance the fight for worker rights.”