The MLBUA lowered their salary demands yesterday, but their
new proposal was not enough for the AL and NL to consider ending
their lockout of the umpires, according to Murray Chass in
today's N.Y. TIMES. MLBUA General Counsel Richie Phillips said
the new proposal represents a 40% raise, down from 53% in the
previous offer. But management negotiator Robert Kheel
disagreed, "saying the front-loaded nature of the increases makes
the package far more expensive than Phillips portrays it." The
umpires propose a salary range from $90,000 for rookie umps to
$265,000 for those with 30 years or more. The owners have
offered a 10% increase. Kheel, on the latest MLBUA proposal:
"We're very discouraged" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/18).
LOOK FOR THE UNION LABEL: Phillips said the umpires are not
asking the players to honor their informational picket lines
during spring training, but that "will change" during the regular
season. Phillips: "We're going to ask the players not to cross
those picket lines, not because we want to out them on the spot
but because we feel compelled to do that." MLBPA General Counsel
Gene Orza said the players "have not resolved nor addressed" the
issue of umpires' picket lines (Murray Chass, N.Y. TIMES, 4/15).
Former umpire-turned Yankees TV analyst Steve Palermo said he
would not work on MSG Network telecasts until the regular umpires
return. MSG Exec Producer Mike McCarthy said the network
supports Palermo's stance (N.Y. POST, 4/15).
