FleetCenter President Richard Krezwick said the company
will ask its unionized workers for wage and other concessions to
help combat "soaring" operational costs, according to Bernard
Wolfson of the BOSTON HERALD. Krezwick said he planned to
approach the unions and explain the financial situation at the
arena. While losing records for the Celtics and Bruins haven't
been "great for business," Krezwick said that the underlying
problem is that the Fleet's "high" operating costs make it hard
to compete for concerts and other events. The electricians,
stage hands, ushers, ticket sellers and dockworkers at the
FleetCenter are organized into a number of different unions, and
each of those groups has a different contract. Krezwick said if
the unions do not cooperate "we'll take a different tack ... We
have to do what is best for the FleetCenter." Krezwick
acknowledged that "some" of the 104 corporate sponsors with
suites have asked for discounts in the wake of "flagging public
interest" in the Celtics and Bruins, but he said that was
"impossible" and has asked that "the corporate patrons stick with
him" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/14).
