In previous seasons, ushers routinely accepted cash tips for wiping seats, directing fans to their seats or allowing fans to sit in vacant seats in prime locations. This season, ushers will be sent to different sections each game to make them less familiar with seats likely to remain vacant. And, seats will be wiped clean before the fans arrive at the park. During preseason training, ushers were reminded of the new rules. The usher and others declined to be identified because they say they feared losing their jobs.
Ushers are mostly retirees, students and people doing it as a second job.
The no-tipping policy is considered in how much the ushers are paid, she said. The policy does not include food servers and bartenders, who are employees of Mike Ilitch's Olympia Entertainment Inc., which handles concessions and merchandising at Joe Louis Arena and the Fox Theatre. Food servers may not solicit tips but may accept them, said Olympia spokeswoman Kathleen Kennedy. She declined to discuss the pay rate. But the move to Comerica has its bright side for ushers.