Major League Soccer’s players voted overwhelmingly to strike effective 12:01 a.m. March 23 if a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached with the league.
The MLS regular season is scheduled to begin March 25, with the Sounders hosting the expansion Philadelphia Union.
Here is a statement released by Bob Foose, the Union’s Executive Director:
“Recent comments from players simply reflect the fact that the players are unified and, per the results of our strike vote, will not begin the new season if a new agreement with the league is not reached. This is not a change in position by the Union and should not be read to reflect in any way upon what has, or has not, occurred this week in the meetings with the mediator and the league.”
Here’s a report on the situation.
Time for Garber to get real…
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Time to score a goal
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The legislature should take away the ability of sports players to unionize. Or at least allow the leagues to hire non-union players. This could work for all sports in keeping salaries down to a reasonable level.
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MLS salaries aren’t reasonable?
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Good for them! That’ll light a fire under their arses about getting this thing resolved. Maybe the league thought the players were just gonna bend over and take it if they just held out, but this at least shows they are prepared to fight for what they think is right. and why not toss them a few extra bucks? Maybe not the rest of the league, but Sounders sure as hell make their money. Why not kick a few bucks their way?
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Salaries are not the only main issue here – even though the players do want the salary cap raised. Another main issue is freedom of contract.
Currently, players sign contracts through the league and their rights are then owned by one team. Their rights continue to be owned by that same team, even AFTER the contract expires. So, a player is not able to sign with another MLS team, even upon the expiration of his contract, unless his team agrees to trade/sell/release their rights to him. When a contract ends, the player is at the mercy of his former team, as to whether he can sign with another MLS club. Completely outrageous.
In baseball, there was a similar perpetual player ownership system (it was called the reserve clause) and was struck down by the courts in the early 1970′s.
Those who follow the Sounders and soccer in general all know that the league is the villain in this dispute.
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