Major League Umpires Association
Encyclopedia
The Major League Umpires Association was a union
for the umpires of both the American League
and the National League
. It was formed in 1970. It was superseded by the World Umpires Association
which became the bargaining agent for MLB umpires before the 2000 season.
and NLCS
), the union was recognized by both the National and American League presidents. It then proceeded to win several pay raises for the umpires.
Richie Phillips
became general counsel and executive director of the MLUA in 1978.
The umpires went on strike again in 1979, making many realize that the game was quite different without the umpires. The MLUA was asking for a package of $520,000 in raises for the 52 umpires. Technically, rather than going on strike, the umpires just didn't return their contracts to Major League Baseball
. Several people made comments about the replacement umpires, including Phil Niekro
, who said: They can be rattled. The don't know how much to take from the players.
On May 1, 1980, Bill Madlock
, of the Pittsburgh Pirates
, had an argument with umpire Jerry Crawford
. He was fined $5,000 and suspended for fifteen days, but he had not served his suspension nor paid his fine by June 3, because of appeals to both the National League president, and the Commissioner of Baseball
. Because of that, Phillips threatened to have the umpires eject Madlock from games, if he did not serve his suspension. That threat raised an uproar, with comments from the NL president, the vice-president of the umpires association, and the vice-president of the Pirates.
In 1999, Phillips advocated a strategy of mass resignations. That strategy backfired, as Major League Baseball
"called their bluff" and accepted the resignation of most who had submitted them, terminating their employment and promoting replacement umpires from the minor leagues. Both Phillips, and twenty-two of his umpires were out of jobs. The umpires, led by John Hirschbeck
, later voted 57 to 35 to decertify
the union, replacing it with the World Umpires Association
led by Hirschbeck.
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
for the umpires of both the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
and the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
. It was formed in 1970. It was superseded by the World Umpires Association
World Umpires Association
The World Umpires Association is an organization of Major League Baseball umpires. It was certified by the National Labor Relations Board on February 24, 2000 as a bargaining agent. It took over as bargaining agent for MLB umpires before the 2000 MLB season, replacing the Major League Umpires...
which became the bargaining agent for MLB umpires before the 2000 season.
History
After a one-day strike by the umpires during the 1970 playoffs (the first games of both the ALCS1970 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 3, 1970 at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, MinnesotaBaltimore only had to use their bullpen once in the series when Dick Hall came on to relieve Mike Cuellar in Game 1. Dave McNally and Jim Palmer both pitched complete games in Games 2 and 3.The Twins...
and NLCS
1970 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 3, 1970 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaCincinnati boasted dual heroes in subduing the Pirates in the opening game. Gary Nolan, an 18-game winner during the regular season, pitched nine shutout innings to edge Dock Ellis...
), the union was recognized by both the National and American League presidents. It then proceeded to win several pay raises for the umpires.
Richie Phillips
Richie Phillips
Richard G. Phillips is the former general counsel and executive director of the 52-member Major League Umpires Association , having held those positions from 1978 to 2000. He is most notable for recommending that the union baseball umpires resign en masse effective September 2, 1999 to leverage...
became general counsel and executive director of the MLUA in 1978.
The umpires went on strike again in 1979, making many realize that the game was quite different without the umpires. The MLUA was asking for a package of $520,000 in raises for the 52 umpires. Technically, rather than going on strike, the umpires just didn't return their contracts to Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. Several people made comments about the replacement umpires, including Phil Niekro
Phil Niekro
Philip Henry Niekro , nicknamed "Knucksie" because of his usage and skill level with the knuckleball, is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997....
, who said: They can be rattled. The don't know how much to take from the players.
On May 1, 1980, Bill Madlock
Bill Madlock
Bill "Mad Dog" Madlock, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. From 1973 to 1987, Madlock was a right-handed hitter who won several National League batting titles. His record of four batting titles as a third baseman would be eclipsed in 1988 by Wade Boggs. Since 1970, only Tony Gwynn has...
, of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, had an argument with umpire Jerry Crawford
Jerry Crawford
Gerald Joseph Crawford is a former umpire in Major League Baseball. He first umpired in the National League in 1977, from 2000 through 2010 worked in both major leagues. He was a crew chief from 1998 through 2010...
. He was fined $5,000 and suspended for fifteen days, but he had not served his suspension nor paid his fine by June 3, because of appeals to both the National League president, and the Commissioner of Baseball
Commissioner of Baseball
The Commissioner of Baseball is the chief executive of Major League Baseball and its associated minor leagues. Under the direction of the Commissioner, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball hires and maintains the sport's umpiring crews, and negotiates marketing, labor, and television contracts...
. Because of that, Phillips threatened to have the umpires eject Madlock from games, if he did not serve his suspension. That threat raised an uproar, with comments from the NL president, the vice-president of the umpires association, and the vice-president of the Pirates.
In 1999, Phillips advocated a strategy of mass resignations. That strategy backfired, as Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
"called their bluff" and accepted the resignation of most who had submitted them, terminating their employment and promoting replacement umpires from the minor leagues. Both Phillips, and twenty-two of his umpires were out of jobs. The umpires, led by John Hirschbeck
John Hirschbeck
John Francis Hirschbeck is an umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the American League from 1984 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000; he is currently a crew chief. On February 28, 2000, Hirschbeck was elected as the first president of the newly certified World Umpires...
, later voted 57 to 35 to decertify
NLRB election procedures
The National Labor Relations Board, an agency within the United States government, was created in 1935 as part of the National Labor Relations Act. Among the NLRB’s chief responsibilities is the holding of elections to permit employees to vote whether they wish to be represented by a particular...
the union, replacing it with the World Umpires Association
World Umpires Association
The World Umpires Association is an organization of Major League Baseball umpires. It was certified by the National Labor Relations Board on February 24, 2000 as a bargaining agent. It took over as bargaining agent for MLB umpires before the 2000 MLB season, replacing the Major League Umpires...
led by Hirschbeck.