A significant portion of these employees earn annual salaries ranging from £20,000 to £30,000, with the potential to boost their income by up to £15,000 through overtime hours. In response to this situation, some staff members are now seeking second jobs, and one individual has even made the move to a rival club, City, although this decision was made prior to the announced changes.
An insider expressed their dissatisfaction, stating, "It’s an absolute disgrace. We are talking about people who love Manchester United, the fabric of the club, who have been there for years. They work incredibly hard because, regardless of who is at the top, it is their club. Almost everyone relies on overtime because it is not a well-paid job. Doing this — especially during a cost of living crisis — is not just heartless, it is reckless. They are penny-pinching from those who need it most, chopping salaries of some of the lowest-paid members of staff in half. It is yet another example of how detached those in positions of power are from the rank and file. The money they will save is peanuts in the grand scheme. When you look at what players earn, and how much they have spent on flops, it’s sickening."
Concerns have arisen that the lost hours may be compensated with new hires on less-expensive zero-hour contracts. However, the club insists that these new recruits are intended to provide backup support, allowing contracted staff to take time off. The decision appears to be led by Annie Hale, United's human resources director, who implemented a seven percent pay rise and the introduction of bonuses, which will be in place for two years.
A spokesperson for Manchester United defended the decision, stating, "We recognize the significant role the green staff play in delivering one of the best playing surfaces in football. Our review is aimed at protecting the welfare of staff and providing greater flexibility. We are seeking to modernize terms and ways of working with employees who work irregular hours around the demands of the football schedule. It is good practice to review historic employment terms to ensure we remain competitive and reward staff appropriately, particularly those who spend anti-social hours working hard behind the scenes."
This move has reportedly caused staff morale to plummet to an "all-time low." Meanwhile, the club's on-field performance has been disappointing, with their worst start to a season in six decades. Amidst this unrest, both on and off the pitch, Erik ten Hag will lead his team against Fulham on Saturday at Craven Cottage in a Premier League fixture.
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