About 220 people are losing their jobs at TCG Player – the trading card company - inside the Syracuse Galleries downtown. State Senator Chris Ryan played a key role in unionizing the workers and says he’s disheartened by parent company e-bay’s plans to close the office and move operations to Kentucky.
Ryan is the former president of the Communications Workers of America, which represents the workers. He says the move by e-bay is nothing more than retaliation against employees who sought fair compensation and safe working conditions.
Statement from State Senator Chris Ryan
"I am deeply disheartened by eBay's decision to shut down TCGplayer's Syracuse office, resulting in the loss of over 300 local jobs. This move not only disrupts the lives of dedicated employees but also undermines the economic stability of our region.
TCGplayer has been a cornerstone of Syracuse's tech industry, and its acquisition by eBay in 2022 was seen as a promising development. However, the subsequent actions ranging from reported anti-union tactics to this abrupt closure reflect a disregard for the workforce that contributed to TCGplayer's success. It’s nothing more than a retaliatory move against the hardworking employees that contribute to the success and profit of eBay."
Workers complained of no raises for years. They were the first labor union at e-bay but were never able to secure a contract. A closing date is scheduled for late August.
TCGplayer was founded in 2008 by Chedy Hampson as an online venue for game trading cards, such as Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Lorcana, Flesh and Blood, MetaZoo, and Star Wars: Unlimited. They also sold other gaming products and comic books. The company's downtown Syracuse offices were known for a pirate ship, Star Wars and other gaming and movie franchise decorations that could be seen by passersby. A Wikipedia page notes that Hampson sold the cmpany to ebay for $295 in 2022.