MLB players reject the owner’s request for a federal mediator.
On Friday, the Major League Baseball Players Association denied the team’s request for a federal mediator, saying the most effective way to end the current lockout for players is for the league’s representatives to go back to the table of negotiations.
After another unsuccessful round of talks to end the labor dispute this week, the owners submitted requests for an impartial third party to be included in the discussions, which requires the players’ consent.
“Two months after the implementation of their lockout, and only days after they had promised players that the counter-proposal would be offered.
The owners did not submit a counter-proposal and instead sought mediators,” the MLBPA said in the form of a statement.
“After discussions with the Executive Board, and taking into consideration a range of factors, we’ve rejected this request.
“The easiest way to come to an equitable and timely agreement is to go back at the table. After that, players are prepared to negotiate.”
MLB has responded, saying it was unable to know why players should not accept mediation by the federal agency charged explicitly with settling similar disputes.
For example, those that involve sports leagues.
“MLB remains dedicated to providing solutions in the form of a table and achieving an equitable agreement between both parties,” it said.
The areas of contention are the owners and players not being able to agree on the length of service towards free agency, expansion of playoffs, the luxury tax, potential salary ceilings, and various rules that are being proposed to change.
Everyone wants to avoid a repeated conflict that erupted in 1994 that resulted in the loss of baseball’s World Series, tens of millions of dollars in earnings as well as the trust of a lot of fans.
Spring Training is expected to start later in the month, and the first game of the regular season’s 162-game schedule is scheduled for April 31.
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