Richie Phillips
Encyclopedia
Richard G. Phillips is the former general counsel and executive director of the 52-member Major League Umpires Association
(MLUA), 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 enhanced benefits for union umpires. This decision ultimately turned out to be devastating to the umpires, as Major League Baseball
"called their bluff" and accepted the resignation of most who submitted their resignations, terminating their employment and promoting replacement umpires from the minor leagues. The umpires later voted to decertify
the union, replacing it with the World Umpires Association
. He has also served in the same positions for the National Association of Basketball Referees.
Phillips received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Villanova University
. While in college, he played varsity football
and later returned to coach the freshman football eleven while attending law school. After getting his legal degree in 1966, Phillips worked for one and one-half years in the Philadelphia
Public Defender's Office. From there he moved to the District Attorney's office as a trial assistant in the organized crime division, and on to the homicide division until around 1971.
His background in labor law is extensive, including representing the Transport Workers Union as well as handling legal matters for the top brass of the Carpenters Union, both in Philadelphia. He also represents about 30 athletes, which he claims does not present any conflict of interest with his duties relating to the officials.
Major League Umpires Association
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 It was superseded by the World Umpires Association which became the bargaining agent for MLB umpires before the 2000 season.-History:After a one-day strike by...
(MLUA), having held those positions from 1978 to 2000. He is most notable for recommending that the union baseball umpires
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
resign en masse effective September 2, 1999
1999 Major League Umpires Association mass resignation
The 1999 Major League Umpires Association mass resignation was a labor tactic used by the Major League Umpires Association against Major League Baseball in 1999. Unable to strike because they had a labor agreement in place at the time, more than 50 umpires resigned in an attempt to force...
to leverage enhanced benefits for union umpires. This decision ultimately turned out to be devastating to the umpires, 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 submitted their resignations, terminating their employment and promoting replacement umpires from the minor leagues. The umpires later voted 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...
. He has also served in the same positions for the National Association of Basketball Referees.
Phillips received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Villanova University
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
. While in college, he played varsity football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
and later returned to coach the freshman football eleven while attending law school. After getting his legal degree in 1966, Phillips worked for one and one-half years in the Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
Public Defender's Office. From there he moved to the District Attorney's office as a trial assistant in the organized crime division, and on to the homicide division until around 1971.
His background in labor law is extensive, including representing the Transport Workers Union as well as handling legal matters for the top brass of the Carpenters Union, both in Philadelphia. He also represents about 30 athletes, which he claims does not present any conflict of interest with his duties relating to the officials.
External links
- CNN/SI: "Richie's Gang" - 1999 article by Frank DefordFrank DefordBenjamin "Frank" Deford, III is a senior contributing writer for Sports Illustrated, author, and commentator for National Public Radio and correspondent for Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO....
- Referee magazine - 1979 interview
- Referee magazine: "Hindsight and History"
- CNN/SI: "Not even close" - 1999 article on dissolution of MLUA