By Sergio Silva
Feb 17, 2024, 7:58 PM EST
Finally The 2024 Major League Soccer season will start on the scheduled date with the presence of substitute referees after an agreement could not be reached for a new collective contract following the arbitrators’ request for a salary increase.
This Saturday it was learned that the Professional Soccer Referees Association could not reach an agreement on the proposal made by the same union that houses the referees who work in both the MLS, the USL and the NWSL.
“Our members are asking not only for fair compensation at a time when the league is seeing record growth, but also for the ability to take care of themselves on the road and at home to continue officiating at the highest level.”said Peter Manikowski, president of the Referees Association.
According to an ESPN report, about 98 percent of union members participated in the vote on the new collective contract that took place between Thursday and Friday. The response from the voters was overwhelming and with 95.8 of the votes they rejected the proposal.
Given this scenario, the Professional Referees Organization (PRO) made the decision to block professional referees, so the start of the 2024 MLS season, scheduled for Wednesday, February 21 with the duel between Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake, will be directed by substitute referees.
“Feedback from our members indicates that the failed ratification was due to issues with the compensation and benefits that the PRO offered, as well as a lack of improvements to travel, schedules, and other quality of life issues.”The association added in its statement.
On the other side is Mark Geiger, general manager of the PRO, who assured: “We have made significant progress during recent negotiations, agreeing fair pay increases and addressing many of the PSRA’s concerns regarding non-economic elements.”.
“This represented an overall increase of 25 percent over 2023 when comparing salaries, advances, playing fees and benefits plus the addition of business class travel for the MLS Cup playoffs. The result of the members’ vote is disappointing”he added.
It must be remembered that the collective agreement had expired on January 15, but both parties had reached numerous agreements to continue operating under its conditions, a situation that extended until the end of last season.
However, for now the decision has already been made and the 2024 MLS season will start as stipulated with the presence of substitute referees. It was also not specified how long this measure will last and until when the substitute referees will be used.
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