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Hmmm,
History isn't really that important for this precise issue.
What is important is that this is the first contract that is being considered with an umpire union involved.
We really can't compare professional minor league umpire salaries from 10 years ago, five years, ago or even three years ago. Since there was no minor league union in those days there were never any serious discussions from umpires concerning pay rates.
We know from history that Steve Mattingly was released from his AAA contract because he began to organize the AMLU. His situation was much like Bill Valentine in MLB in the 1960's, the way organized professional baseball dealt with unionism was to cut loose the organizers.
FEAR often kept umpires from attempting any type of organizing.
What is relevant in this conversation is one thing and one thing only:
"What is the current value of an umpire at each level of the minor leagues?"
No one can force considerations of sins from the past. We live in a real time economy and all that matters is what price are people willing to pay for a specific service.
Do professional umpires deserve more money?
Maybe.
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