A number of matchday workers at Arsenal including cleaners and caterers have gone unpaid as a result of the enforced coronavirus break football.london understands.
As reported by The Guardian, these workers are employed by hospitality and food company Delaware North and not the club themselves.
The workers have made their displeasure known to the company - who also provide their services at the London Stadium, Craven Cottage, Wembley and the Ricoh Arena - as they have been told there are no shifts available due to the coronavirus shutdown.
As it stands, football.london also understands that all casual workers such as stewards and other matchday staff who are directly employed by Arsenal have been and will still be paid for all games that were scheduled to go ahead.
Seeing as Delaware North are contracted externally by Arsenal, their employees remain their responsibility.
The club is also in frequent liaison with Delaware North about the issue as despite those who have gone unpaid being employed externally, those employed by Arsenal still view the Delaware North workers as colleagues.
In an email to their employees, Delaware North outlined the actions they are currently taking as they still look to see if they are eligible to be furloughed.
“We are taking legal advice but until there is definitive guidance allowing you to undertake paid work for others whilst on furlough we will be maintaining this cautious stance,” the email said.
“If you wish to work for another company at this time, think this is unfair, there is of course the option to ask to be P45’d so that you can accept an offer of work elsewhere. You are always more than welcome to re-register with us when this is over.”
Should they prove to be eligible, casual staff who work variable hours and are paid by PAYE – which is understood to apply to most of Delaware North’s workforce – may be eligible for the 80% wage guarantee.
If ineligible those on zero-hour contracts could stand to lose the government maximum contribution of £2,500 a month.
football.london have contacted Delaware North for comment on the situation but are yet to receive a reply.
