Sources on both sides of the baseball labor dispute
indicated that the next bargaining session -- originally
scheduled for today in New York -- will take place in Washington
tomorrow. But it is not known whether all future negotiations
will be held in DC. In Baltimore, Peter Schmuck notes the change
in venue "would mesh" with former Labor Secretary William Usery's
style of mediation. Usery "has a reputation for keeping the
bargaining unit at the table for long hours, and may believe that
moving both sides out of New York will raise the discomfort level
to a point where they will be more receptive to a compromise"
(Baltimore SUN, 10/18). Meanwhile, MLB players continued to file
for free agency. The owners have not imposed their 45-day freeze
on players filing for free agency and signing contracts, "but
they likely will impose a freeze on signings soon." Chuck
O'Connor, General Counsel of MLB's Player Relations Committee,
said the owners will discuss the measure within the next few
days. O'Connor noted that there would not be a freeze on
filings, just on signings. The MLBPA has said a freeze on
signings would be a form of collusion (Mark Maske, WASHINGTON
POST, 10/18).
THE OWNERS' TEAM: The owners' negotiating team will most
likely include Red Sox owner John Harrington, Rockies owner Jerry
McMorris and Brewers VP & General Counsel Wendy Selig-Prieb
(Murray Chass, N.Y. TIMES, 10/18).
