Bargaining in Good Faith?

[BigUmp56]

Umps to boycott if no improvement made

The Minor League ReportBy DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published January 21, 2006 - St. Petersburg Times

Minor league umpires did not close the door on working spring training games but they clearly pushed in that direction.

The Association of Minor League Umpires on Friday turned down a labor contract and voted to boycott spring training if, as union head Andy Roberts said, "no further improvements are made.

"We love the game," Roberts told the Times by phone. "We sweat and bleed out there to produce a product the fans love. It is unfortunate it has gotten to this point."

Roberts said the umpires' average salary has not increased in a decade. He said the contract that expired in November paid Triple-A umps $15,000 for a five-month season, Double-A umps $12,000 and full-season Class A umps $10,000.

Roberts said the union asked for "substantial increases in pay," but management's five-year proposal offered a $500 raise only in the first year and a health-care deductible increase from $100 to $500.

He said per diems would rise $1 each year. Under the old deal, umpires received $25 in Triple-A, $22 in Double-A and $20 in Single-A.

"It's not exactly a livable amount of money," said Roberts, 32, a Triple-A umpire in the International League. "It's frustrating because we're not asking for the world. We're asking to treat us equally as we go year-to-year and make it so that your most qualified people can survive."

Pat O'Conner, chief operating officer of minor league baseball's governing body, St. Petersburg's National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, declined comment beyond, "Our position is we're not going to negotiate in the press."

Roberts said no negotiations are scheduled but added, "We're looking forward to getting back to the table."

The union, though, clearly turned up the pressure with its boycott vote.

Roberts said spring training was not included in the previous contract. Umpires were invited to work. If the boycott holds, replacements will be needed.

"This isn't some sort of crying game," Roberts said. "We all know what we're getting into. But you hope you have the opportunity to maintain what you're doing when your level of expertise becomes so much more.

"The average three-umpire crew in Triple-A has over 20 years combined experience. You tell me if you can replace that."



Doesn't sound good to me.

--Tim.