Would You Accept?

[LeeBallanfant]

Only if Joey Crawford was on the picket line.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Like Rut I believe in unions and therefore I would not cross a picket line. That said, even if I did not believe in unions, I would not cross a picket line because I would be screwing my brethern officials if I did cross the picket line.

MTD, Sr.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

Like Rut I believe in unions and therefore I would not cross a picket line. That said, even if I did not believe in unions, I would not cross a picket line because I would be screwing my brethern officials if I did cross the picket line.

MTD, Sr.

I don't believe in them, but I'm told they exist anyway.

[Welpe]

I've never been accused of being pro union in general however I wouldn't. In the case of the NFL, we has several officials that came up in Houston that are always teaching at our clinics. I can't imagine flipping them the bird and stepping into their job that I know I couldn't do as well.

Not to mention the stigma that I imagine is quite hard to wash off in what is a rather small circle.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

No, because I'd either be in over my head or I'd be sabotaging my chance at making it later the old fashioned way.

Originally Posted by LeeBallanfant

Only if Joey Crawford was on the picket line.

When the NBA refs had their lockout/strike I found info that something like 17 NBA veterans refs got their start during work stoppages, including a few prominent officials.

Of course the NBA is different in that they have a farm system (D-League/WNBA) from which to acquire replacement officials.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

When the NBA refs had their lockout/strike I found info that something like 17 NBA veterans refs got their start during work stoppages, including a few prominent officials.

Of course the NBA is different in that they have a farm system (D-League/WNBA) from which to acquire replacement officials.

And that is the key as the NBA would expect those officials to work and it would be different for them. I would not begrudge them in anyway as they are not in the NBA Officials Union from my understanding.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by LeeBallanfant

Only if Joey Crawford was on the picket line.

Only if Tim Donaghy was on the picket line.

[legend]

If I were ready and got the call...for sure. One of the things that I despise about officiating is politics. I understand the officials are locked out, but why should they be mad at you/me for stepping in and trying to make better for ourselves in that situation. The whole "Lets stand together" deal just drives me crazy. I know that I'll get bashed for this but half of the guys in professional sports either knew someone or had some type of connection to HELP them get there. So if they would look down with anger at me for doing what was best for my family then shame on them.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by legend

If I were ready and got the call...for sure. One of the things that I despise about officiating is politics. I understand the officials are locked out, but why should they be mad at you/me for stepping in and trying to make better for ourselves in that situation. The whole "Lets stand together" deal just drives me crazy. I know that I'll get bashed for this but half of the guys in professional sports either knew someone or had some type of connection to HELP them get there. So if they would look down with anger at me for doing what was best for my family then shame on them.

You obviously never met Joe Forte.....LOL

[just another ref]

I have never understood the "Never, ever, cross a picket line. PERIOD!! " philosophy. The union wants a million dollars and says we get or we walk. Then management finds someone to work and do an acceptable job for $750,000.

This is not a tough decision.

[jTheUmp]

At my current place in my officiating career... no, I wouldn't accept a replacement NBA (or NFL, or MLB) gig.

However, if I was at a different point in my career (5ish years till I plan on retiring, knowing this would be my one shot for 15 minutes of fame, being able to make more money in 1 month of officiating then I'll make in 5 years, being ok with potentially being ostracized by the officiating world at large)... it would be a much tougher decision.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by just another ref

I have never understood the "Never, ever, cross a picket line. PERIOD!! " philosophy. The union wants a million dollars and says we get or we walk. Then management finds someone to work and do an acceptable job for $750,000.

This is not a tough decision.

They are not going to fire the people they already have in place. The NFL replacements are used as a pawn. This would be like leaving your girlfriend for a fling and then when the fling is done with you, the girlfriend that loves you knows you cheated on her. Is it worth it for something that is not going to last. You can disagree, but those NFL replacements are not going to be treated well when they get back because they gave up something to do those games. Many might not work at all this year at the levels they gave up. And now many might not get their job back. If nothing else, the situation will always end and then what?

Peace

[justacoach]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I live in a heavily union state and any time non-union workers are hired in a building project there are union people that will make it known (They actually put a huge blowup rat that is probably about 20 feet tall in many cases) near the work site.

Peace

Love to see that happen here in VA, or any other right-to-work state...

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Well just so you know, that is not a officiating politics issue, that is a worker, management issue. This would be the same case if this was a skilled worker or a teachers union in a strike or lockout of some kind. Heck I live in a heavily union state and any time non-union workers are hired in a building project there are union people that will make it known (They actually put a huge blowup rat that is probably about 20 feet tall in many cases) near the work site.

Peace

And such attitudes have sent many companies to other places....either to states with right to work laws or even to other countries. Most unions are outdated and no longer serve the purpose for which they were founded. They now walk a fine line between extortion and representing the workers' safety and fair treatment. Detroit is seeing the worst of the affects of unions where they held on so long that the US car makers just couldn't compete against global competition and have lost a enormous share of the world market as a result. Instead of making high wages as the unions have pushed for, now many of those union members are making no wages while someone in Korea has a job. Of course, they'll blame it on the business for being greedy....and then go buy their groceries at the store with the cheapest prices.

[Multiple Sports]

No way.......

I get the impression that there are a lot of D II and III officials on this site............... for those guys they are trying to get to the D I level. Why do they think they could go out and work in the NBA....

Wouldn't be fair to the players / coaches / or fans for me to try to work in the Association...

Also have too much respect for all the hard work those guys have put in to get to that level.......