The AMLU's Birmingham Folly

[DIV2ump]

Originally Posted by fromthe757

Not entirely true. The umpires were offered 100/day, but only because MLB ballclubs went to PBUC with the offer. For years PBUC has said they can't do anything about what is paid at spring training.

Do you think MiLB can tell MLB clubs how much to pay? I'd be surprised if they could.

So the minor lg umps turned down $100 per day? Did that include per diem and housing or is that separate?

[bobbybanaduck]

$100/day was pay and food. housing is a horse of a different color. a FEW are housed in apartment complexes while most are put up in hotels and live 2 to a room, which is BS.

[MPHump]

Would that horse be considered a minority horse?

[LMan]

Originally Posted by MPHump

Would that horse be considered a minority horse?

A minority horse is a horse, of course.....

[BlueLawyer]

I take it no one refutes the assertion that PBUC wants to increase the health insurance deductible to $500- wiping out almost all of the "raise".

PBUC talking point #9:

9. You signed up knowing that eventually, you'd have to pay for the privilege of umpiring. Quit your bellyachin'! Why, when I was a minor league umpire, we used to walk uphill ten miles (both to and from the ballpark) in waist deep snow from the cardboard box we were staying in to get to the stadium. The plate guy had to drag his gear along the ground in a trash bag. We ate the peanut shells off of the grandstand floor for dinner and WE NEVER COMPLAINED . . .

Strikes and outs!

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

The funny thing about GenX, Y and Z...they don't want to pay their dues...give me instant gratification baby! It is about much more than showing up on time and making the calls. Boot camp takes the heart out of you before building you up. Yes, we agree that you should make more, but whining about not getting by on 10-15,000 for five months' work is petty. You and I both know you aren't living on just the PBUC salary. Get a better off season job and start saving, we did and are fine now. Do you need help investing your money?

[DIV2ump]

Originally Posted by BlueLawyer

I take it no one refutes the assertion that PBUC wants to increase the health insurance deductible to $500- wiping out almost all of the "raise".

I read a quote somewhere that in the last few years only a handful of umpires would have been affected by the deductible increase because most umps stay in-network and that the union was being misleading about this. I think it was a quote from a PBUC official.

I don't think the peanut gallery is in a good position to say who's right on this, how can we know?

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Originally Posted by Gazette

Andy Roberts, 32, has been an umpire for seven years and was promoted to the Triple-A International League last season. Roberts said no AMLU member has crossed the picket line.

“We haven’t had a pay increase in over 10 years,” Roberts said. “Before we unionized in 2000, there had been a pay cut and a pay freeze.”

Roberts said the average salary for Triple-A umpires is $15,000. It’s $12,500 for Double-A, $10,000 for A and about $5,000 for short-season rookie leagues.

Major league umpires make between $90,000 and $350,000 with benefits and a quality pension. Most minor league umpires have offseason jobs.

Roberts, who played in college at Birmingham Southern, works for a life insurance company and owns a kids baseball school.

“If you’re not a bachelor living with mom and dad, it’s hard to make a living,” said Roberts, who is married with a 17-month-old daughter.

Roberts said the AMLU wants a 20 percent increase in salary, a significant per diem increase ($25 to $40 for Triple-A), improvement in on-field evaluation and an unbiased arbitrator to resolve disputes.

They have been offered $100 a month more in salary and $1 more per day in per diem, but that is countered by an increase from $100 to $500 per year in insurance deductibles.

“That wipes out our raise,” Roberts said.

With low pay, endless driving from series to series, time away from family and little chance of reaching the majors, why become a minor league umpire?

“It’s a love for the game,” Roberts said. “But it’s extremely difficult for five months on the road, and the incentive is less than it has been in the past.”

Any more speculation about what the brass is seeking?