Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY
Just in case there was any hope of optimism that the cold war between Major League Baseball and the players union might be thawing, along comes the news that the union has filed a grievance against MLB in response to their shortened season of a year ago.
© Charles Rex Arbogast, AP The 2020 MLB season was shortened to 60 games.
The Major League Baseball Players Association, just as they threatened last year, officially filed a grievance against MLB seeking about $500 million in damages, two persons with direct knowledge of the grievance told USA TODAY Sports.
The persons spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
The grievance was first reported by the New York Post.
The union stated in the grievance that MLB did not act in good faith negotiating the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
The union had originally proposed a 114-game season after the COVID-19 shutdown, and later an 89-game season. MLB originally proposed an 82-game season with a sliding salary scale. Their proposal was reduced to a 76-game season at 75% prorated pay, and then to a 72-game season at 80% prorated pay.
The two sides failed to reach an agreement until commissioner Rob Manfred stepped in. He imposed a 60-game season, with the players receiving full pay, which amounted to players receiving 37% of their full salary. The teams wound up losing $3 billion, Manfred said.
The union, which vowed to file a grievance last summer, argues that MLB did not make the “best efforts to play as many games as possible’’ as required by their March agreement.
MLB, which filed a counter-grievance, said that the reduced schedule became necessary because of the pandemic, citing safety and health reasons.
The grievance, which is held by a three-person arbitration panel, could play a potential factor in their upcoming negotiations on their collective bargaining agreement which expires Dec. 1. The two sides have yet to engage in any serious negotiations, with their first meeting last month consisting of little more than slide-show presentations.
MLB could argue that any grievance could be a detriment in their economic proposals while the union could debate that it should play no factor given that MLB had dismissed any potential grievance as “frivolous’’ last summer.
MLB has asked that the grievance to be fast-tracked and resolved as quickly as possible to remove the cloud from negotiations.
It's the latest wrinkle in the strained relationship between the owners and players.
There are just 202 days remaining before their deadline. If no agreement is reached Dec. 1, and there is no deadline extension, there’s the distinct possibility of a work stoppage.
The Major League Baseball Players Association, just as they threatened last year, officially filed a grievance against MLB seeking about $500 million in damages, two persons with direct knowledge of the grievance told USA TODAY Sports.
The persons spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
The grievance was first reported by the New York Post.
The union stated in the grievance that MLB did not act in good faith negotiating the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
The union had originally proposed a 114-game season after the COVID-19 shutdown, and later an 89-game season. MLB originally proposed an 82-game season with a sliding salary scale. Their proposal was reduced to a 76-game season at 75% prorated pay, and then to a 72-game season at 80% prorated pay.
The two sides failed to reach an agreement until commissioner Rob Manfred stepped in. He imposed a 60-game season, with the players receiving full pay, which amounted to players receiving 37% of their full salary. The teams wound up losing $3 billion, Manfred said.
The union, which vowed to file a grievance last summer, argues that MLB did not make the “best efforts to play as many games as possible’’ as required by their March agreement.
MLB, which filed a counter-grievance, said that the reduced schedule became necessary because of the pandemic, citing safety and health reasons.
The grievance, which is held by a three-person arbitration panel, could play a potential factor in their upcoming negotiations on their collective bargaining agreement which expires Dec. 1. The two sides have yet to engage in any serious negotiations, with their first meeting last month consisting of little more than slide-show presentations.
MLB could argue that any grievance could be a detriment in their economic proposals while the union could debate that it should play no factor given that MLB had dismissed any potential grievance as “frivolous’’ last summer.
MLB has asked that the grievance to be fast-tracked and resolved as quickly as possible to remove the cloud from negotiations.
It's the latest wrinkle in the strained relationship between the owners and players.
There are just 202 days remaining before their deadline. If no agreement is reached Dec. 1, and there is no deadline extension, there’s the distinct possibility of a work stoppage.
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