Louisiana Officials Possible Strike?

[just another ref]

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

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by just another ref

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

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

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

Peace

The whole state

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by just another ref

The whole state

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

Peace

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

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

Peace

And the solution is?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by just another ref

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

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

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

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.

[shavano]

Originally Posted by snaqwells

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.

+100.

[zm1283]

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.

[Judtech]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

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.

.

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!!)

[Adam]

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.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Judtech

This is what free market capitalism is all about.

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.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

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.

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?

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

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.

+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.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

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.

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?