A different perspective...

[Rich]

Originally Posted by nickrego

No, they don't. That's the whole point of a strike, to put pressure on the company your striking against, so they will be willing to bargain, by removing a critical service point, and causing them to loose revenue or market share.

I am not a union sympathizer or union member, but I do believe certain industries do still need unions, because the companies are operating in a 1930 mindset. And from what I have read, I personally feel MiLB umpires deserve a better system to work in.

I will never say anything to the members of my association who crossed, nor will I treat them any differently. Although, my respect level for them has diminished. Especially the hypocrites who are union members. Don't forget, they crossed a union picket line. That is the backbone of union brotherhood, being stabbed in the back. How about if their union went on strike, and the MiLB umpires stepped in during the off-season and did their jobs ? I bet they would see it in a whole different light.

I had the opportunity to talk with an MiLB umpire last week. Since he is not working, he was home, and decided to watch some of the local HS games. Young kid, very respectful, bright, lives for baseball. This would be his second year, if he was working. He knows many of the umpires in our association, and has seen them working the local Minor League games on TV. I told him that I did not agree with them crossing the line. I also told him that I had not been approached, nor did I expect to be approached, but if I were, I would turn it down. His face lit up, he shook my hand and said, that no matter how this thing turns out, he really appreciates my support. That felt better than I imagine working a minor league game as a scab ever would.

Like you, I hear a lot of talk on this site about this, but I don't hear enough talk about supporting our brother umpires, union or not. So in my eyes, WE are killing them off, not MLB !

Please remember to think about the concessions workers, ticket takers, and all the other people making "peanuts" working at minor league games. For them, the games have to go on as well.

[nickrego]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Please remember to think about the concessions workers, ticket takers, and all the other people making "peanuts" working at minor league games. For them, the games have to go on as well.

Rich,

Your compassion is well placed. And I am sure those people deserve it. But MLB doesn't give a crap about them either. They are just another necessary evil to keep fans in the stands happy.

Lets look at it this way;

Historically, if XYZ manufacturing company was faced with a striking workforce, who fills in for the striking workers ? Different workers ? No, MANAGEMENT ! I know, I've been there. Still am. If any one of the several labor groups were to strike at the company I work for, all non-union Salaried employees have to fill in. I would love to see the MLB brass don some gear and fill in ! This strike would be over in about a week ! Unfortunately, these days, in many industries, it is too easy to get replacement workers who are willing to do the job for less compensation.

The umpires can't base their decision to strike on whether it will effect the other labor groups involved. If unions did that, there would never be any strikes, and there would never be any improvement.

Another issue that hasn't come up yet...How is it going to be handled if one of the Replacements gets seriously injured. If they can't work, their full time employers are under no obligation to hold their position for them until they return. They could find themselves in a real bad position, since their personal health insurance is also not required to cover their work related injury. If they are not covered by an MiLB Workers Health / Compensation policy, they could also find themselves paying for their own medical bills. I bet nobody has been thinking about that.

Strikes are a terrible thing, both sides suffer irreparable damage. Lets hope this thing can end fairly, and quickly.