As expected, the NLRB announced that it plans to issue a
complaint against the owners on unfair labor practices charges
filed by the MLBPA. While NLRB General Counsel Fred Feinstein
would not say whether he would seek an injunction, chief
management attorney Chuck O'Connor left a meeting with Feinstein
believing he would do so. Feinstein is expected to forward his
request for an injunction to the five-member board by the end of
this week, "and the board is expected to act -- favorably -- by
the end of next week." That would mean a March 27 court date
(Murray Chass, N.Y. TIMES, 3/15).
UNION CLAIMS VICTORY: MLBPA Exec Dir Don Fehr: "We got
enough to make us real happy. ... We have another indication from
the general counsel's office that (the owners have) failed to
bargain in good faith. Sooner or later, people are going to
realize the reason (negotiations are) not moving forward is
because they're not bargaining in good faith" (Mark Maske,
WASHINGTON POST, 3/15). In L.A., Ross Newhan writes that,
despite the fact that arguments before an administrative law
judge on the likely injunction do not seem likely before May 22,
the union "expressed delight" with the announcement. Privately,
the union noted "that the owners face enormous legal and
financial risks, with or without a lockout" (L.A. TIMES, 3/15).
OWNERS CLAIM VICTORY: MLB's release on the complaint
focused on the NLRB's recognition of the clubs' right to bargain
contracts with the players through their Players Relations
Committee. MLB referred to that as the "central element" of the
players' complaint (MLB). The owners "seem certain to wage a
possibly prolonged fight with the NLRB in court and to respond to
any attempt by the players to return to work under terms of the
old agreement with a lockout" (Ross Newhan, L.A. TIMES, 3/15).
Red Sox CEO John Harrington said it is possible the owners would
not lock out the players, but only if the players signed a no-
strike pledge for the coming season (SCRIPPS HOWARD, 3/15). Mark
Maske reports there would be an "internal debate" among owners on
whether a lockout vote would require 3/4 or a majority
(WASHINGTON POST, 3/15). One owner said the union "didn't come
close" to getting all it wanted: "This is not the way out for
Don" (TORONTO STAR, 3/15). Rangers President Tom Schieffer: "I
don't think it's terribly earth-shattering or terribly dramatic;
it just begins the litigation" (Ron Hutcheson, FT. WORTH STAR-
TELEGRAM, 3/15). Braves President Stan Kasten: "We're quite
certain we're right on the law" (I.J. Rosenberg, ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION, 3/15). White Sox Chair Jerry Reinsdorf called the
complaint "merely the beginning of a legal process, not the
completion of one" (Stephen Franklin, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/15).
Giants Owner Peter Magowan: "The NLRB's concern can be addressed
in a much more expedient fashion through negotiation rather than
litigation" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 3/15).
SO, WHERE ARE WE? NEWSDAY's Mike Lupica: "This is it, this
is the apocalypse now. They [the owners] didn't cancel the World
Series and do everything they've done to run and hide now because
of the NLRB. I wish I could tell you I see an end in sight, but
I can't" ("GMA," ABC, 3/15).
