Louisiana Officials Possible Strike?

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I don't get the reason for taking games 150 miles away, personally. Is it some "think of the children, let's swoop in riding white horses and save them" mentality? Well, those children will be just fine missing a game or two or even more if necessary.

That's a bit dramatic, in my opinion. More like, the officials of the state have agreed to do a job. If, in the middle of the job, some choose not to work, others must step in to pick up the slack.

[Judtech]

JURASSIC - I think you are making an invalid assumption about "vultures". You are assuming that there will ALWAYS be enough 'vultures' for the games to officiate. I don't see this as the case, and if it IS the case, then the rate the LHSAA pays is in line with what the market will bare.
IMO, the more likely scenario is that when the time comes to sign a new deal, there are more likely to be people such as JAR who remember the broken promises of the LHSAA and think the wage is too low and act in unison to resolve the problem..
Cameron's point is 100% spot on. We are "selling" our services just like a mechanic, lawyer, fruit picker etc. If someone is willing to do the same job at the same quality then they should get the contract. Now throw in some competition, then we have the true "American Dream". If the JAR Officiating Assocition charges $65/game and has seasoned quality officials, and the Bayou Officiating Association charges $35/game but has less quality, then the buyer has a choice. (I know this is not hte case in LA) Officiating is a business and sometimes business IS cutthroat. And sometimes labor needs to organize. Thus the beauty of the American system!!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by just another ref

So you think it is an acceptable practice to stop working, right in the middle of a job you have agreed to do?

If I have been promised a pay raise to do that job and that pay raise was subsequently unilaterally cancelled, I feel that it's perfectly acceptable behavior in this particular instance. The LA officials had an agreement on work conditions. There was no agreement to make a subsequent unilateral change in those work conditions.

Sory, JAR, but my sympathies lie with the LA officials who are trying to gain a fair game fee for ALL of the officials in the their state. When one side fails to follow through on their promises, you have 2 choices. Do something about about it or bend over and take it.

[Judtech]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I found the fees for LA:

http://lhsaa.org/images/db_handbook/47.pdf

Basketball - $36 for 2-person, $31 for 3-person (only at the highest classification -- at lower classifications, an official could receive as little as $28 in a 3-person crew)

Soccer - $45 per official

Baseball - $55 per official

Football - $75 per official (the white hat gets an extra $15)

Softball - $95 per crew (it appears the plate umpire gets $50 and the base umpire $45)

What I find stunning is that basketball officials and soccer officials are so underpaid compared with other sports. I mean, basketball paid considerably less than SOFTBALL? Really?

Simple supply and demand.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by just another ref

If, in the middle of the job, some choose not to work, others must step in to pick up the money.

Changed it to your real reason for doing so.

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by just another ref

So you think it is an acceptable practice to stop working, right in the middle of a job you have agreed to do?

Sounds like a teachers strike to me.........

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by just another ref

That's a bit dramatic, in my opinion. More like, the officials of the state have agreed to do a job. If, in the middle of the job, some choose not to work, others must step in to pick up the slack.

Rich, I agree with you, a game or two missed just amplifies the need for officials, not hurting the 'children'. I think grabbing games is sublimely selfish as some officials see this as a chance to upgrade their games and make points with schools/assigners.

Gutless to take these games, have some pride for pete's sake.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by just another ref

That's a bit dramatic, in my opinion. More like, the officials of the state have agreed to do a job. If, in the middle of the job, some choose not to work, others must step in to pick up the slack.

Must? I don't think so. Maybe you can put some blame on the officials who were assigned and then refused to work (although without a specific contract tied to that official, I don't think so), but you personally have no duty whatsoever. If you had other commitments that night, you would've said no. You wanted to do those games, period.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Judtech

Simple supply and demand.

Really?

I'm guessing there's a lot of football officials dying to get on the varsity field in LA and a lot of officials who are waiting for their chance to put on the white hat. If you want to use the supply and demand argument, varsity football (with the fewest games and probably a large supply of officials available) would pay less, right? I know I don't get a $15 bump for wearing the WH in Wisconsin, but I wouldn't trade it for another position on my crew.

Further, how about D-1 officiating? Since I know many officials who would give an extremity to work that level and the number of games is quite fewer, shouldn't those games pay LESS?

Supply and demand isn't the only factor at play here. Or, at least, it's not as simple as you make it.

[Judtech]

You are right, I may have over simplified. Decisions aren't always based on money, b/c quality comes into play. And when it comes to officiating, the majority of us do it for the 'love of the game' which also skew's simple text book formulas. Your point about WH in football is a great example. There is a valid intrinsic value to being a WH, Crew Chief, "Varsity" official.
I am not sure your D1 comparison makes as much sense b/c there is a huge difference in game fees, perks etc. The fact that college pays more then HS is one of the incentives that attracts quality officials. Thus with a larger pool to chose from you should have more quality to chose from.
I guess I was basing my comment on what has happened around here. For years it was difficult to find enough VB and LAX officials. When they drew up a new working agreement, there was a significant bump in game fees, and automagically there was an increase in the number of officials!! (The same problem is there with baseball and softball, but that is not a problem can be solved by game fees.)

[Adam]

Originally Posted by fullor30

Rich, I agree with you, a game or two missed just amplifies the need for officials, not hurting the 'children'. I think grabbing games is sublimely selfish as some officials see this as a chance to upgrade their games and make points with schools/assigners.

Gutless to take these games, have some pride for pete's sake.

And when the statement is made that by picking up these games now, the schools will reward your association in the future. Well, that's just bush league. Maybe I'm a bit harsh, though.

JR seems to be getting kindlier and gentlier, and I seem to be heading the other way.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

JR seems to be getting kindlier and gentlier, and I seem to be heading the other way.

Somebody has to pick up the slack. :shrug:

[wfd21]

Just watched YouTube video from WDSUTV on Refs Boycott.
Sorry but these guys don't look to professional. Wind pants, Belts, White Sneakers? Can somebody put up a link?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by wfd21

Sorry but these guys don't look to professional. Wind pants, Belts, White Sneakers?

Do they tell the captains that it's the blue line all the way aournd?

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by wfd21

Just watched YouTube video from WDSUTV on Refs Boycott.
Sorry but these guys don't look to professional. Wind pants, Belts, White Sneakers? Can somebody put up a link?

YouTube - Refs Boycott 10 Northshore Basketball Games Over Pay Dispute