They signed those 'contracts' in good faith with the understanding fees were to be raised. They weren't, all bets are off.

Would also be interested in knowing how the teacher's union fared with their salary increase negotiations over the past years????

edit: Louisiana teacher salaries have risen 45.4% over the past ten years. Now I know why you're on the bottom of the totem pole boys

Well, the deal is apparently over, for now.State high school basketball officials agree to return to work - NOLA.com

Not sure exactly what a "promise to revisit the pay raise" means, but I doubt if any of us will get health insurance and a company car now.

I have contracts for all my games for this season, next season, and for a fair number of games in 2012-13. They specify how much we will be paid for those games and I have the choice whether to sign them or not sign them.

I worry what would happen here if schools and conferences would try to cut pay for officials. I think many officials would buy the party line of "the schools have no money" and would work for considerably less money. With no real organized associations (we have associations, but membership is voluntary and is only for training and networking purposes) the games would go on.

I was an assignor for an adult baseball league with 44 teams and a lot of attitude. The umpires were underpaid and took way too much abuse. When I tried to bridge the gap between the league and the assignors and get a fair raise for the umpires, I had *umpires* tell me to back off. Mainly cause they were the ones that had been around forever and were buddies with the teams and their management.

Me? I could work for $31, I guess, but I won't. I have told the occasional AD that I'd be willing to cut my pay from $60 to $45 to $50 for 2-3 years if there was a real effort to transition to 3-person officiating across the board. That would cut some of the effect on the schools while they try to figure out how to raise the additional funds down the road. Some have thought this was a good idea, but they're in the minority -- they're happy having to only pay 2 officials.

Probably would be a good idea to have the officials make a presentation prior to the vote. But, it doesn't seem much different than Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown to me.

The time to bring that up would have been at the start of the year, or whenever the agreement which covers this year was reached, not now. JMO

If the principals revisit the pay raise and vote it down again, it will just start all over.

And no official in LA will ever gain a decent and fair game fee imo, let alone health insurance and a company car, as long as there's other persons salivating in the wings just waiting to grab games from them at $36 a pop.

That's not completely true. If those people in the wing can't call anywhere near as good of a game, the schools will realize they are getting what they are paying for and will pay for better officials. On the other hand, if there's no drop in the quality of officiating, it won't matter at all.

Better Than Nothing ...
 

This season, we got a 2% raise.

THERE IS NO CONTRACT! We have the same system here as they do in LA. The officials association and the member schools are part of the state association. There is no contract between the schools, the officals or the association. It's simply in the bylaws of the state association that certified local associations will train and provide officials and are assigned to specific schools. Member schools will only use state certified officials. That's it, the end of it.

And if they choose not to work they can certainly do so. You can call it a strike, wlakout or whatever, but they certainly have the standing to do it. They are independent contractors. They work at their own pleasure and the pleasure of the schools. Schools must use LHSAA officials...at least until the emergency measure this week.

And it should. But hopefully the revisitation and ensuing debate will occur at the proper time.

Salivating in the wings is hardly an accurate description.

I don't think that we can necessarily say that this is the wrong timing. This is when the annucal convention is scheduled. We have no idea what may have occurred in previous conventions.

Once a game is assigned and accepted, I think there's a contract (but IANAL), even if there's no written document entitled "Contract."

So, it's unclear to me whether they are (or were) not working games that they had previously accpeted, or if they just weren't taking any new games.

Burke's Law ...
 

Connecticut is an all IAABO state. All of our public high school, and Catholic high school, assigners are hired by the local IAABO boards. It is my understanding that the state board (overseeing all the local boards) signs a contract with the state interscholastic sports governing body every year.

For the past several years we have been having problems getting paid by the high schools in one of our largest cities. The excuse was always that the schools send the paperwork the Board of Education office, who then sends the paperwork to city hall, who then cuts the checks. The paperwork was always getting lost during this journey. It got really ridiculous two seasons ago, I finally got paid on July 14 for a game that I did before Christmas. I got paid because I was persistent, several phone calls, which always switched over to voice mail, and several emails, all of which were never responded to. I finally got my assignment commissioner, and secretary treasurer, involved, and that's how I finally got paid. Many probably never got paid, especially those who didn't keep accurate records, those that just go out to their mailbox, open up a check, and go to the bank to cash it. Others just gave up.

At several local board meetings we all complained that we needed to get their attention with some type of job action, like not working any more of their games. We were told that we couldn't because that would have been a breach of contract.

If next year's pay raise is voted down, and this is unacceptable, fine, just say "Good luck finding officials next year." Walking out at this point was not the thing to do, in my opinion.

Also, some say that the threat of the walkout is what caused some principals to vote against the pay raise who had previously intended to vote for it, before they heard this threat. Is this true, and how do these principals feel now? Who knows.

There is competition between associations. A couple of schools near my home told my assignor that if we would cover them through this, we would be rewarded with their business next season. The crossover turns out not to be necessary but I'm hopeful the switch, which had already been discussed, will still take place.

It's a completely internal situation, with schools and officials both being part of the state association. It's like a dispute between Coke and Coke Zero.

As an LA official said earlier, associations are assigned to specific schools, that's pretty much the extent of a "contract." All I have to do is turn the game back in and I don't have to work it. If no one else is willing to work it, then the booking agent informs the school he doesn't have officials for the game.

At this point, it looks like they may have reached an agreement for most associations to go back to work.

LHSAA holds emergency meeting

Lowballing ...
 

We have this with spring, summer, and fall, AAU tournaments. There are a lot of "mini assigners" out there who only assign AAU tournaments, and each have their own little group of officials who work for them. AAU tournament organizers were trying to get the lowest fees possible by pitting the "mini assigners" against each other.

Our state IAABO board tried to get this all under the IAABO "umbrella", that is coming up with a standard fees statewide, and only allowing IAABO certified officials to work AAU games if the games were under this IAABO "umbrella". We made some headway, but not much due to the fact that officials are viewed as independent contractors, and some officials, and some AAU organizers, threatened to sue based on unfair labor practices, like restraint of trade. This scared our state IAABO board, so they backed off, and tabled it for another time.

Wow!

Nowayinhell can you call something like that "competition". That's nothing but freaking backstabbing. No wonder you guys are only getting $36/game if something like that is fairly prevalant. You're just screwing each other and in the end you're all paying for doing so.

No wonder the LHSAA has been getting away with underpaying for so many years.

I've seen this in other states. Associations poach schools from other associations. Miserable practice. I much prefer working as a true independent contractor and working whatever schools I want to work.

It's backstabbing to hire the people who would work when others wouldn't?
This was the principal's suggestion, not the assignors. Schools switch from one association to the other all the time. This is not due to being solicited, nor promised anything. (as far as I know) What I hear when a school switches is not that they switched because they like the new group, but that they disliked the old.

Question: Which officials do you like least/hate most?

Most common answer: The ones that called the last game we lost.

How is it poaching? We don't call them, they call us. Are we supposed to turn them down? I prefer the independent contractor route as well, but there are no varsity assignments here that way. I called only varsity and jv around here for that reason. Finally almost all of that was turned over to associations, too.
It was register or quit at that point.

+ 100

How can the switch of a school from one association to another have anything to do with money, when everybody gets paid the same?

Are you saying everyone is paid the same all over the state or a region?

Peace

The whole state

And that seems to be the problem if you ask me.

Peace

And the solution is?

How about let conferences or school districts decide what the pay should be. You know like other sporting levels do.

Peace

And the problem is that when one group tries to grow a pair and stand up for themselves, the neighboring association comes swooping in to save the district from those nasty local officials.

It's the ultimate example of throwing your partner under the bus.

As for pay, here in CO there's a minimum that most schools just meet. There's nothing to prevent them from paying more, though. I would assume LA schools could likewise pay more than the state mandated peanuts.

+100.

Our basketball association (Which books the vast majority of games for schools in this area of the state), contracts with individual schools to provide officials for their games. There is an agreed upon rate that the schools pay for each level of game, along with mileage. Our association allows us to schedule games on our own at any of the schools we service as long as they aren't varsity regular season games (Tournaments are okay as some schools book their own officials for their tournaments).

Some schools that are "in between" associations book their own officials for all games and decide on their own rates.

As far as contracts go, we use the Arbiter, but a small number of schools will send contracts as well for their games.

SNAQ I disagree with you on this. This is what free market capitalism is all about. Just like anything else, people pay what the market will bear. If the schools can get away with paying so little, that is on the people accepting the games. Unless and until the associations get on the same page, this practice will continue and I have no problem with it.
Eventually, if enough officials say it isn't worth my time, then there will be a shortage of workers. In order to increase the pool of workers the "employers" will have to 'sweeten' the pot. IMO, I don't think the state officiating associations realize how much leverage they actually have. I agree that when the issue is 'revisited' if the compensation isn't up to snuff, then the associations should walk. If other Associations "poach" from those that walk away, it will be a short term fix. Eventually, they are going to run out of officials who think it is worth the drive and time to take these games.

Free market competition. It's a bit*** but it is the American way!!!
(Go rent F.I.S.T with Sylvester Stallone to get you fired up for the UNION!!);)

I'm not saying they don't have a right to do it. I'm saying it's not "right." You say "until the associations get on the same page..." What do you think this is? It's undermining one another. I've got a problem with it.

AFAIC, the state association had a negotiated fix in place, and opted to punt instead. How many times would you like to revisit it?

Let me put it this way. How many warnings do we give a coach for poor behavior. They've been working on this since 2007. I'd say it's time to put on the adult pants, stand up, and blow the damned whistle.

I get FM competition, but those officials who are crossing the line are short sighted in that they're undermining the negotiating position of their brothers. Frankly, if that's what they want, then they can make $31 and ref forever at those rates.

We agree with everything but the 'undermining thing'. That is why I said I think it is stupid and short sighted. I am certainly not calling SMART, but I really have no problem with them doing it. B/C Karma, and the Free Market, is a Bi***. Let's fast forward 13 months when NEXT season is over and these "poachers" have provided poor service and are facing an exodus of officials. NOW when the schools come back to the bargaining table, those that walked away will be in a GREATER position of strength, and those that "poached" will most likely NOT be forgotten by those other associations.
So, we agree on like 95% of the stuff.

+100

Those who are continually willing to work for peanuts are undermining the entire avocation IMO.

Then again, it's hardly surprising when you consider that, apparently, half of the officials in LA are still wearing belts.

Fair enough. I'm saying they shouldn't do it. You're saying they shouldn't do it but if they want to, so be it. Let them suffer the consequences later.

If that's what you're saying, I can't really argue with it.

Let me finish (for now) by saying you can bet I'd hold it against the poachers/scabs, too. My scratch list would grow, for one.

What are you talking about?? The group standing up for themselves? What does this mean? Swooping in??

When I said competition it means trying to do the best job and being appreciated and ultimately chosen to work somewhere. How is this any different than a single school cutting a single official? Are the guys from that same association guilty of something when they go to call the next game at that school?

Of course you can't because you are wrong and I am right!:D

Since when are local officiating associations in competition with each other for schools? Offering lower fees? No travel fees?

Snaq is right. It's throwing your fellow officials under the bus. Here, the NCHSAA doesn't allow it. You get officials from the local association you're assigned to. We avoid such nonsense.

The only way there is competition is who is providing the best quality job, which obviously is in the eye of the beholder. Who goes where is decided to a large degree by geography, but, as far as I know, any school is free to use any association it chooses. Mileage is paid based on distance from the home of the association, not the actual mileage driven by the officials on any given night. So, game fees + mileage can still sometimes come out to be exactly the same for one school which changes from one association to another.
As far as Snaq's comment earlier about one group standing up for itself, I'm all for that but not when it leaves people in a lurch while breaking a previous agreement. I own a Mack truck. I haul mainly for myself, but occasionally for others. If I have been hauling for you for a hundred bucks a trip and decide I need more, I should call you to discuss terms, right in the middle of a load.

"Hey, boss. I'd like to keep hauling for you, but the next load is gonna cost a hundred and fifty. What? Too pricey? Fine, that's up to you, but in that case I'm just gonna dump this load on the side of the road."

Is this how one "stands up for oneself" in other parts of the world? Not here.

It should be mentioned, if it hasn't already, that only 4 associations out of 14 were involved in this short-lived walkout. So who looks worse, the 4 that walked out, or the 10 that agreed to honor a previous commitment?

I just can't believe that officials in LA work for those pathetic game fees. They wouldn't have officials (Or would have very bad ones) if the game fees were that low here.

Just a few questions I have for all those who are criticizing the officials who are continuing to work or are looking to pick up extra work when others turn it back....

Who here gets bids from 3-5 mechanics/plumbers/contractors/painters who have similar reputations for quality of work and takes one of the most expensive bids on the grounds that the lowest priced mechanic is undermining the other 2?

Who, when such a mechanic/plumber/contractor/painter estimates a price for a job but when they get closer to the job and realizes they want to charge more will move to a different vendor that will do it for the old price?

Who shops for a car, drives the car, takes up an hour or two of the salesman's time then buys the car elsewhere because they can get it cheaper but have to wait a week or two for it?

Who spends time in a store shopping for something, using the salesperson to help you decide and then buys it on the internet?

All that said, I do think they're grossly underpaid and should work to get their pay raised but they need to get everyone on board instead of a few localized protests. If there are 10 of 14 organizations that are "satisfied" with they pay as it seems to be, they'll not get far.

+1000, Snaqs

On one side you have officials willing to personally give up money to try and gain better game fees for ALL of the officials in their state. On the other side you have people circling like vultures just waiting to get every extra penny out of the dispute that they can. Do the vultures care that they're only hurting themselves in the long run? Naw, they're happy as hell as long as long as they can make a few extra bucks out of it now. And the LHSAA knows that they can always find vultures available to do their games for $36. There's just no reason for them to give anybody a raise. They don't have to do that to be able to still cover games.

You can promise something back in 2007 and when you don't follow up the promises, it's just "too bad, too sad, live with it" time. Well, that's just wrong imo.

Maybe the LHSAA should compromise. Give periodic raises to the officials and keep paying $36/game indefinitely to the vultures. That should keep everybody happy.

Well done, you just defended the schools down there. :D My problem is with the officials, though.

The guys who refused to work in the middle of the season after making a commitment to do so are now "giving up money" while the "vultures" come in to pick up these "extra bucks." Well, according to you, (this point is valid) there was no money to be made at the current rate in the first place, so what were they giving up, other than credibility. I was set to make a 300 mile round trip yesterday to call 2 games and come home with about $150.
You think this was for personal gain?

Yes, if it was doing games that another group of officials declined to do in their pursuit of a decent per game fee.

Some officials are refusing games at the current ridiculously low state pay scale to try and raise the game fee levels for all of the officials in their state. The buzzards though are happy to swoop in and take those games at the current ridiculously low state pay scale to make a few extra bucks. The result? The LHSAA is happy as hell to get their games covered and there is absolutely no incentive for them to ever offer the officials a raise. Been like that since 2007, hasn't it?

The buzzards deserve $36 a game imo.

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

All valid. And: If you are the mechanic, and all mechanics charge the same, and a customer wants to switch from another mechanic to you because he was unsatisfied with previous work, do you refuse the job because it would be stabbing a fellow mechanic in the back?

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.

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?

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.

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!!

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.

Simple supply and demand.

Changed it to your real reason for doing so. :)

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

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.

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.

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.

Money Magnet
 

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.)

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.

Somebody has to pick up the slack. :shrug:

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?

Ask If Speaking Captains Start ???
 

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

Remember we have a person here that defends the belt wearing all the time. So should we be surprised? :D

Peace

According to that clip, basketball officials have not receieved a pay increase in 21 years! :eek: It seems like that status quo is a big thing in Louisiana...didn't they only recently allow their officials to flex in 3 person...not to mention the use of belts. I'm halfway expecting some of their officials to be wearing collared shirts.

In my opinion, it sounds like those in Louisiana are content with being paid chump change. 21 years without a pay raise is a joke.

In a LIMITED defense it appeared to be a Middle School Girls game, the one officials shoes were black but not the soles (SHARPIE anyone?) Clips on the boys side the officials looked pretty professionally dressed to me.
And what HS has SUITES for their games? And they are *****ing about a pay raise!! :eek:

Hard to believe I lived there 14 years ago and got what these guys are getting now. That's almost a generation ago.

And as long as the LHSAA continues to find enough officials willing to travel 300 miles to cover a game for $36 each, the officials will never get a pay raise. Why should the LHSAA raise game fees?

Sorta like, as long as officials are willing to go ball side in a 2 person game, the officials will never get a 3rd. Why should the ADs add a 3rd?

I don't think the two are even marginally related.

Hey that was big money during Bush I and before:
The Dot Com Bubble
Cell Phones
The Internet(s)
Ross Perot
The Blue Dress
SUV's
Vanilla Ice Milli Vanilli and MC Hammer were punch lines
Grunge

Just to name a few

Not even a little bit huh? :)

The suites are in the Superdome, which was where the interview was taped with Ken Trahan, who is the general manager of the Saints Hall of Fame Museum. Trahan was identified as a "sports historian."

Not even by any interpretation of the conversation......

One has absolutely nuthin' to do with the other.

Nope. Anyone that would intentionally work under his best ability just to prove a point (hire a third and you'll get that coverage) is not someone I want to take the floor with.

That's simply nonsensical imo.

The soles and the rubber part on the bottom on the side (I guess those are the soles too) were both white.

And trouble headed up the line. "We have always worn white tee shirts under our dark uniforms. Nobody ever said we couldn't."

By the way, the average price of gas 21 years ago was 1.16!

Begs the question, what has our brotherhood in LA. been doing over the last 21 years to get miniscule pay increases?

"you pay peanuts, you get monkeys"

"price is what you pay, value is what you get"

Easy, when they try to stand up and get paid more, some other official from the next town comes over to fill the gap.

Or some person from 150 miles away.......:D

Not sure if this was posted. It was just sent to me...

WAFB Story

Just remember, were talking about a place that knowingly built a major town below sealevel (the only one in the US). Then a strom rolls through and nearly wipes them out, they blame their troubles on an unpopular president, and then they want to rebuild back in the same spot....on YOUR dime...so it can happen all over again. Doesn't sound like the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Was it Earl?

And this has to do with basketball officials pay because.... why?

Because the thought process from all involved seems murky at best.

That sounds pretty good in theory, but I think the time when you have actual leverage (for better or worse) is in season.

Latest news story: Basketball officials say they'll go back to work - WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |

And the fact is (from what I read) that the principals only voted it down last week.

Like I told a kid I teed up for slamming the backboard after he claimed he was going for the ball, "You were late to the party.":D

Know what I found unbelievable? The direct quote on a possible pay raise from Kenneth Henderson, the LHSSAA rep... "Every game we miss, your chances go down." That's nothing but a direct intimidation tactic imo. And why not? They've been getting away with it for at least the last 17 years.

Time for the LA guys to throw the tea in the harbor.

I know that in VT, there were some concessions given by the officials that were temporary. The VPA, which governs interscholastic sports there, has been true to its word. Officials only charged one way mileage and there were 2 game fees split 3 ways on the V games. Those inequities were worked out, as game fees were no longer split and mileage was round trip, though car pooling was strongly encouraged.

Rates were a lot less than in NY & NH, and some officials started working more out of state games as a result if they lived near the border. [All IAABO areas]. Over time, subvarsity was increased from $30 to $45 plus 40.5 cents per mile in $5 increments. Varsity contests went from $50 to $55 to $65 to $75 with the same mileage allowance. There has been talk off and on about a flat travel fee so schools would not be shocked by mileage bills, but nothing has occurred in that area. And schools have 3 man crews on a set number of games based on classification for boys and girls. Schools at their discretion may have more if they pay for the third official.

All in all, it has worked pretty well. The officials gave to help out and the VPA kept their word about two way mileage & increased game fees.

Only one association in VT so there was no line crossing to be done. Two assignment areas.

Sounds pretty bad in LA by way of comparison. And hopefully, someone who can present a good logical position regarding inflation, expenses like uniforms, clinics, dues, gas, etc. can draw some parallels with some what ifs. Principal salaries 21 years ago were x. Now they are y. What if they were x again? But it will take a united front to accomplish anything.

Couple of things in the Monroe Newsstar today:

Refs prepare return to play | thenewsstar.com | The News Star

Sports are about the kids | thenewsstar.com | The News Star

I see this "tweak" as a potential sticking point.

I don't see this part happening.

If sports are really about the kids in LA, I wonder if the coachs, AD's, principals and the clown who wrote this article would voluntarily and happily go for 17 years without having a pay raise.

Just wondering.....

Funny I have lost more games to Teacher's strikes and contract disputes than I ever had over a dispute with my money. But it is about the kids. That always cracks me up when someone says that I must do something for the kids as an official that will never see many of these kids again, but the people that see them everyday and know them by first name are exempt from that process.

Peace

When someone uses "It's for the kids" I know that whatever opinion comes out after that is likely to be discarded.

When I see teachers striking or "working to rule" I wonder if it's "about the kids" then, too.

I wonder how many raises the teachers, administrators, and coaches have received in the last 21 years. I'll bet it's more than zero.

But, hey, we're hired help subservient to all those people.

I still think the LA officials should've let those people work their games the rest of this season. I bet the playoffs would be ones to remember.

We actually last had a raise in 07. Apparently the last one before that must have been 21 years ago.

Y'all were getting paid even less than you are now? :eek: