Minor League umpires reject 12 percent raise
May 1, 2006 - International League (IL1) News Release
ST. PETERSBURG, FL- Earlier today (May 1) PBUC was informed by the Association of Minor League Umpires (AMLU) that striking Minor League umpires had rejected the tentative contract that had been hammered out last week with the help of federal mediator Lou Manchise. PBUC (Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation) employs Minor League Baseball's umpires. PBUC is disappointed that the striking umpires chose to reject the contract despite the unanimous recommendation of the AMLU bargaining committee in favor of ratification.
George Yund, the lawyer representing Minor League Baseball, said that "Minor League Baseball will continue with replacement umpires. No further negotiations are scheduled or contemplated."
Under the rejected agreement umpires would have received a salary and per diem raise of about 12% this year, and per diem increases from $27 (AAA), $24 (AA) and $22 (A) in 2006 to $39/34/29 in the final year of the contract. In addition, PBUC had agreed that full-season umpires would continue to receive 12 months of employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance premiums for their 5-½ months of work and that PBUC would pay for travel to the United States for current international umpires. PBUC would continue to provide travel, hotel rooms, uniforms and job training.
In 2005 twenty Minor League umpires worked as Major League fill-ins under PBUC's agreement with Major League Baseball, and they earned as much as $76,755, not including other benefits. PBUC had to terminate this agreement this year because Minor League umpires turned down spring training assignments despite the 42% increase in compensation that PBUC negotiated for them. Nevertheless, some striking umpires are currently working at the Major League level as independent contractors without contract benefits.
International League Stories from May 1, 2006
- Toledo rolls to 6-1 victory over Indianapolis - Indianapolis Indians
- Tides fall, 8-1 - Norfolk Tides
- Sox Slip By Lynx 5-4 - Ottawa Lynx
- Lerew hits and pitches Braves to win - Gwinnett Stripers
- Braves name Blackwell assistant GM - Gwinnett Stripers
- Minor League umpires reject 12 percent raise - IL1
- Carmona, Foley Join Bisons Staff - Buffalo Bisons
- R-Braves game notes - Gwinnett Stripers
- Sweeney Named IL Batter Of The Week - Charlotte Knights
- Denorfia, Michalak win Bats monthly awards - Louisville Bats
- International League names players of the week - IL1
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo Bisons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
