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I don't know where you got 300% from? That seems like a rumor to me...one that really has no merit. From what I know, MiLB umpires have actually had a pay decrease in the past 10 years. They have had NO RAISES, no COL increases, NOTHING! So...if you want to combat that...and get them back to where they were 10 years ago...a "significant pay increase" would be needed. The guys that i've talked to have said they aren't asking for much. The contract that the guys rejected had a $100/month increase in pay. A $1 a day increase in per/diem (which would still leave it about half the government rate...and for those of you that say a lawn care person doesn't get a per diem, so why should these guys...last time I checked these guys NEVER GET TO GO HOME...they are on the road for 5 months. That's the reason there is a per diem in the first place...so why in the world isn't it up to par with the government standard?)
This contract that they rejected also " include raising the deductible from $100 to $500 and increasing the copay" which would wipe out that pay increase.
So of course they are going to reject it. EVERY guy i've talked to said all the MiLB umpires are asking for is a pay increase to get wages back to livable. Nobody has told me they are looking for 300%. If you look at the COL increase/year it's at about 2-3% per year for the past 10 years. So over 10 years that would be an increase of about 25% or so. And that isn't really a raise...that's just keeping with the times.
If MiLB comes out with an offer that reflects this...and the MiLB umpires reject it...then I will probably start to change my mind. These guys don't need a 300% raise...and none of them I have talked to have expressed that. They do NEED a raise that will combat the cost of living increase going on. THAT IS A REALITY IN AMERICA! Things are getting more expensive, so you have to pay your employees more. You can't just ignore that as an employer.
I can't disagree with a union when they are just asking for livable wages. This union is not on a power trip. They aren't turning their back on fair contracts. It seems to me they are just trying to survive. These guys are "professional" umpires. This is their job. They should be making at least enough money to take care of their families.
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