The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) recently rejected a proposed new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) put before it by the union’s executive board, after negotiating with the Professional Referees Organization (PRO), the referees’ employer. An overwhelming 95.8% of the union membership voted to reject ratification, highlighting significant issues with the proposed agreement. This decision has led to consequences, with the PRO planning to lock out the referees and begin the season with replacement officials.
According to Peter Manikowski, president and lead negotiator for PSRA, the rejection was driven by concerns over compensation and benefits offered by the PRO, as well as a lack of improvements to travel, scheduling, and other quality-of-life issues. The rapid growth of Major League Soccer (MLS) has put increased mental and physical demands on officials, necessitating fair compensation and better conditions for the referees to continue officiating at the highest level required by the sport.
In response to the rejection, PRO general manager Mark Geiger highlighted the progress made during recent bargaining, including fair pay increases and addressing many of the PSRA’s concerns. The proposed agreement offered a substantial 25% overall increase over the previous year, with improvements to salary, retainers, game fees, and benefits. However, the rejection of the proposal has led to disappointment within the PRO, forcing them to initiate a lockout and begin the season with replacement officials.
Despite the rejection, the two sides have continued negotiations, with the PRO offering a no strike/no lockout agreement to facilitate further talks. However, this offer was also turned down by the PSRA, with Manikowski describing it as a “poison pill” for union membership due to accompanying demands, including no raises for 2024. The rejection of this proposal, along with the PSRA’s authorization for a potential strike, has heightened tensions as the 2024 season approaches.
As the lockout looms and replacement officials are set to take over, the MLS regular season is set to start soon. The previous CBA between PSRA and PRO expired in January, but extensions were granted to allow negotiations to continue. The rejection of the proposed agreement has created uncertainty for the upcoming season, with the possibility of disrupted games and a lack of experienced referees to officiate matches.
The filing of unfair labor practice charges against the PRO by the PSRA further illustrates the challenges faced in reaching a new agreement. The allegations of regressive bargaining and reprisals against union members for engaging in protected activities underscore the contentious nature of the negotiations. With significant gaps between the two sides, resolving the issues and reaching a mutually beneficial agreement remains a key challenge moving forward.
The rejection of the proposed new CBA by the Professional Soccer Referees Association has cast a shadow over the upcoming MLS season. As both sides grapple with unresolved issues and tensions escalate, the need for fair compensation, better working conditions, and a stable labor agreement becomes increasingly apparent. The impact of the lockout and the use of replacement officials will undoubtedly have repercussions on the quality of officiating and the overall fan experience in Major League Soccer.