The online petition calls for the NFL "to offer 500 halftime workers at the Indianapolis Super Bowl minimum wage and protection if they are injured on the job," setting up Madonna's stage.
The online petition calls for the NFL "to offer 500 halftime workers at the Indianapolis Super Bowl minimum wage and protection if they are injured on the job," setting up Madonna's stage.
4 comments:
This article brings up a valid point and there is no real "right" answer to this conundrum. The thing is, safety is becoming more and more of an issue as we continue to use more effects or create a show that compliments the "importance" of an event such as the Super Bowl. As far as safety is concerned, I think that the volunteers should absolutely be ensured. There is a lot going on during the game and during halftime, and these are volunteers working. There isn't anything that says, "there are extremely well equip professionals setting up the stage". In the moment, anything can happen, even if some or most of these people have a sense of what is going on. Accidents happen to professionals in atmosphere that are far less exciting than the Super Bowl.
As far as payment, the word volunteer also comes into play. If this is a volunteer based activity, they are there on there own. They must be fans or at least very happy just to be there, for whatever the reason. These people subject themselves to this work, and it isn't forced on them so I don't think that they have to be paid for their services, the experience alone should suffice.
What I find almost more interesting than the article itself is looking at the comments people are making in response. It seems that the people who are in favor of the petition are not the people who are actually volunteering to be a Super Bowl stagehand. Those who are volunteers are basically saying that they know the risks when they sign up, and that they feel that they receive enough training to mitigate the chances of injury. They also feel that the chance to be apart of these events is pay in and of itself. I cannot tell whether this sentiment is shared by the majority of the volunteer. It makes me wonder whether the volunteers are being starstruck by the opportunity to somehow participate in the Super Bowl, or whether the people petitioning are being more paranoid than necessary.
While the petitioners have good intentions in mind in terms of trying to protect the stagehands who are working at the Super Bowl, it really seems as if there concerns are somewhat unnecessary. Judging by the article, and especially the comments below, most of the people who get involved understand that it's a volunteer gig, and they aren't going to get any form of monetary compensation, and they're all okay with that. While there is always some element of danger, there seems to be a fair amount of training and preparation, so that these workers can not only pull off the job, but do it safely. Until something serious happens (which, judging by the fact that the NFL has been doing it this way for 45 years, and such a thing hasn't happened), things probably won't change much
It is a volunteer job. You volunteer. No one is doing the job that doesn't want to be their or isnt aware of the situation. I feel like the petition is silly. Personally I would PAY to be able to do that... be on the field of the SuperBowl and be a stagehand for the halftime show. That would be incredible. So i feel like minimum wage and accident assurance would be nice.. but I am willing to risk it for that opportunity. if someone is opposed to that... then do not volunteer.. rather simple.
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