Another advantage that the baseball players have is everyone knows everyone else's salary. Encouraging employees to keep their compensation secret is a weapon employers have used forever to play their workers off against one another.
Workers need to be clear on who their allies are--their fellow workers--and who is the enemy--management.
Workers need to be clear on who their allies are--their fellow workers--and who is the enemy--management.
1
Well, at least the Cubs are learning that baseball is a business. Its about time - they haven't won the World Series since 1908.
2
The Cubs also opened the 2015 season without bathrooms for the fans in attendance.
2
The Union and baseball have an obligation to put the best teams and players on the field and to make the "product" the best possible. When the league or teams deliberately diminish what the fans see on the field, it weakens the sport and ultimately the players pay the price - in reduced revenues and salaries, in questionable financial statements, and employee trust.
Why should a current player feel good about his work situation when management is always on the prowl for a way to reduce his salary and security?
All unions first obligation is ultimately the health of their industry. It does little good to have dominion over a dying or reduced kingdom. The safety and welfare of the membership is paramount,as well, but tied to the endeavor's health.
Players understand that dynamic. Pitting players against one another seems like an elementary school move, perpetrated by the "mean" boys who will make you sit at the end of the bench and polish their shoes.
Why should a current player feel good about his work situation when management is always on the prowl for a way to reduce his salary and security?
All unions first obligation is ultimately the health of their industry. It does little good to have dominion over a dying or reduced kingdom. The safety and welfare of the membership is paramount,as well, but tied to the endeavor's health.
Players understand that dynamic. Pitting players against one another seems like an elementary school move, perpetrated by the "mean" boys who will make you sit at the end of the bench and polish their shoes.
1
Re "the shoes", "Look sharp, be sharp!"
This essay ignores one relevant point: the MLBPA chooses to limit its membership to the 750 or so players in the majors. It excludes minor leaguers -- among them many Triple A players who are at the margins of major league action. The MLBPA could choose to double its membership, negotiate for minor leaguers in its CBA, and truly demonstrate the democratic instinct suggested by this author.
The White Sox sent Frank Thomas down to the Birmingham Barons for a few weeks when he started in 1990. He was a thrill to watch, but you knew he would not be in Birmingham very long. I think everyone wins in these deals.
Scott Boras has baseball's, and the fan's, best interests at heart? Frankly, if the Yankees have to pay A-Rod 60 plus million, let the Cubs make the guy wait 12 days.
2
The Cubs have so little incentive to move Bryant up to the big leagues before late April, or even some time after that. They're not playing for '15 in the singularly focused way of other clubs; it's all about getting their younger players ready to contend in '16 and beyond. The MLBPA is correct to raise a howl about the obvious business decision to push back Bryant's free agency, but this is not like collusion in the mid-to-late 80s, there's no legal recourse for it.
Manfred was chosen as commissioner over the objections of longtime hard-liners like Reinsdorf, who remain itching for an NBA/NHL-like triumph over a union that for years has got the better of them. Can he keep the labor peace when the current CBA heads toward expiration? Baseball owners, long clowns at labor negotiations, outwitted by Miller and Fehr, may finally choose some solidarity of their own; that will test the union in ways not seen since the '81 strike.
The owners tried a lockout in early '90, but didn't commit to it and then-Commissioner Vincent thought it was a bad idea. Then they watched the NHL in '94, the NBA in '98, the NHL again in '04, and the NBA again in '11 take a hard line against its unions, losing regular season games to get what it wanted. It's difficult to imagine the MLBPA will be willing to strike, as it was in '94 and possibly '02, rather than face the prospect of a prolonged lockout after a World Series. No sports union has struck since '94; every stoppage since has been a lockout.
Manfred was chosen as commissioner over the objections of longtime hard-liners like Reinsdorf, who remain itching for an NBA/NHL-like triumph over a union that for years has got the better of them. Can he keep the labor peace when the current CBA heads toward expiration? Baseball owners, long clowns at labor negotiations, outwitted by Miller and Fehr, may finally choose some solidarity of their own; that will test the union in ways not seen since the '81 strike.
The owners tried a lockout in early '90, but didn't commit to it and then-Commissioner Vincent thought it was a bad idea. Then they watched the NHL in '94, the NBA in '98, the NHL again in '04, and the NBA again in '11 take a hard line against its unions, losing regular season games to get what it wanted. It's difficult to imagine the MLBPA will be willing to strike, as it was in '94 and possibly '02, rather than face the prospect of a prolonged lockout after a World Series. No sports union has struck since '94; every stoppage since has been a lockout.
1
I hope that the Cubs miss the playoffs by 6 games, and everyone can trace the margin directly back to April, when management left Kris Bryant stranded in the minor leagues to save a couple of bucks.
2
If saving $30 million equals a couple of bucks, then by all means Kris Bryant should have been in the opening day lineup
I highly doubt Kris Bryant would've been worth a 6 WAR in the first 2 weeks of the season.
2
But that's the thing, isn't it? It's not "a couple of bucks." Or even a couple million bucks. The difference between Bryant's paycheck in that final year of enforced connection to the Cubs will be more like $10 million to $20 million--or the combined salaries of two or three additional players. I would never want to be the owners' apologist, but the current rules are what the current rules are, and the Cubs would be insane not to play by them. And it's not like 12 days or a month of Triple A ball will hurt Mr. Bryant--who played just 70 games there last season (and only 174 minor-league games total).
1
At this point Bryant is not a major league defensive fielder. Sure, he can clobber the ball, but if he doesn't throw to the correct base or misreads an angle to the ball, he costs runs. A little seasoning will fix that. In this case I side with Cubs management. That's not to say service time management should be ignored by MLBPA. There are players who should be on rosters but aren't just to squeeze an extra year out of them. Always, follow the money.
Average of baseball fan in 50+ . World Series last year had an eight share down from thirty two in 1978-80. So baseball's future is not very bright. Ask your kids to name their favorite athletes. Few baseball players among them. Drive around and see how many kids play the game. Not talking about that enforced little league but play for the fun of it . Not very many
4
The solidarity between major league athletes extends only as far as the major leagues. In minor league baseball, where thousands of players toil endlessly for just a shot at the bigs, lawsuits have recently been brought alleging that players received less than minimum wage counting hours spent traveling, exercising, conditioning, and practicing. Technically minor league teams are their own independent businesses, but in practice they operate as development operations for Major League Baseball; nobody bats an eye if a talented minor leaguer is sent up, even if his minor league team is in the middle of a playoff race. MLB benefits substantially from having readily available leagues for its stars to develop, practice, and rehab injuries. Despite this, few of the league's $6 billion plus in annual revenue makes it into the hands of minor leaguers, coaches, or staff. This needs to change, and MLBPA might start by creating a separate union for minor leaguers.
3
Cubs took advantage of loophole, no biggie. And in 12 days or games, whatever, he can recalled. Is the season really lost if the Cubbies wait 12 games? C'mon... Now, I really don't care what he is paid. Cubs and the kid could kiss and make up or have this taint their relationship his entire career in Chicago. Classic non-story, maybe he stays AAA longer because not everyone in organization thinks he's ready... Nothing unusual about team position
2
The Oakland A's have played this game for years, bouncing players between the minors and the A's not in order to field the best team at any one time, but to delay free agency and extend their availability as currency in some future trade. I understood the business decision but disliked it as a fan - as soon as a young player showed promise, he was sent to AAA.
1
Curt Flood is rolling over in his grave.
4
It might be a good idea if the Baseball Commissioner investigated this situation. I do not know if anything underhanded has occurred, but it is beginning to smell. Of course, that smell, to the average fan, could be only money, of which the fans are not aware since they are never exposed to it.
What's there to investigate? The Cubs played completely within the boundaries of the rules set forth in the CBA by the Player's Union.
2
The Baseball Commissioner works for the owners, not the players or the fans.
1
You don't like it MLBPA? You shouldn't have signed the contract that allows it.
And now the union wants to set the roster? Spring Training is littered with huge stats from players who never amount to much.
When I see a bad free agent signing deal get ripped up and re-worked, I'll support the union.
And now the union wants to set the roster? Spring Training is littered with huge stats from players who never amount to much.
When I see a bad free agent signing deal get ripped up and re-worked, I'll support the union.
2
The players are tough. When the teams were going to field "replacement players" before they settled a strike, the players made sure that no replacement player would ever play one pitch in the big leagues.
1
The replacements played (Rick Reed et al) but the union never allowed them to be members.
1
Last time I looked, the owners of Major League Baseball teams are managing their business for annual success. Success of winning the World Series and the #1 rule of capitalism, make money! I've been attending MLB games for 63 years and have watched the business part of baseball rise from the lord - serfdom to free agency; from $0.50 admission to a ticket for one game equal to an annual salary in 1949 (inflation, yes, I realize that).
How many spring phenomenons were labeled "can't miss"? Hello Cub fans, it's only been 107 years or so... patience, patience.
How many spring phenomenons were labeled "can't miss"? Hello Cub fans, it's only been 107 years or so... patience, patience.
1
this is why they are the best union in the country.
1
As a Die Hard Cubs fan ( I have lived in NYC for 25 years and kept my Cubs season tickets) I would be a lot more sympathetic to Kris Bryant if he could actually field a position. The Cubs are in the National League which does not have a DH, Bryant is a VERY poor fielder and could actually use some more time in the minor leagues to practice. I have great respect for MLPA but they signed off on the deal and Bryant should not be rushed up.
4
Anyone who asserts that a professional sports union is representative in anyway of labor unions in the US--has little understanding of the traditional union outlook. These athletes are almost all 1%ers working in public financed venues staffed with minimum wage (or close to it) workers. Sports unions look very little like real unions in either their world view or in practice--and professional millionaire athletes are not poster children for unions. "Normal' (non sports) unions, for example, would never allow pay for performance or individual contracts, but rather would insist that all union members be paid exactly the same for job and time in grade. If the MLBPA were a normal union, seniority, rather than skill, would determine batting order and who plays where, and the Manager would have little ability to pull a pitcher or change the lineup without being second guessed by an arbitrator or following a multi page contractual procedure. Traditional unions would protect players (as they do workers) who turn in mediocre effort, even at the expense of (and using the dues from) other productive players. Frankly, the lesson labor should learn from the sports unions is that it should rework its antiquated seniority and uniformity focused world view, in favor of merit and greater flexibility in pay and management. If normal unions adopted the same flexibility, excellence first and win-win mentality that the sports unions have--they might actually add members in the US.
10
Finding the right balance between workers interests and management interests is always a struggle and Unions have made many mistakes along the way. It is hard have a long term focus because Unions are democratic in nature and leaders are elected rather than appointed. When up for election it is difficult to win if your message is to accept concession to management now in exchange for possible benefit later. In the end, management's goal is profit not the benefits of employees. That future benefit may never come.
Unions are collective in nature and it is difficult to maintain solidarity if each member is free to make his or her own deal. The baseball Union is really just a professional association, it is not truly a labor union even though is has benefitted its members over time and has shown some solidarity.
Unions are collective in nature and it is difficult to maintain solidarity if each member is free to make his or her own deal. The baseball Union is really just a professional association, it is not truly a labor union even though is has benefitted its members over time and has shown some solidarity.
"“winner-take-all” dynamic of professional sports or the movie business, thanks to the global scale at which many businesses operate, the proliferation of information technology — which allows elite performers to reach much bigger audiences than ever before — and the breakdown of traditional norms of pay equity."
How does this relate to Boeing where the unionized staff in Puget Sound produce usable airplanes while the nonunionized staff in SC produces unusable airplanes that need to be finished in Puget Sound and still get bonuses? Is Boeing using SC as a loss-leader, subsidizing them until they somehow learn to build usable airplanes?
How does this relate to Boeing where the unionized staff in Puget Sound produce usable airplanes while the nonunionized staff in SC produces unusable airplanes that need to be finished in Puget Sound and still get bonuses? Is Boeing using SC as a loss-leader, subsidizing them until they somehow learn to build usable airplanes?
3
In the recent Major League Soccer (MLS) collective bargaining agreement negotiations I got the sense that the players acted similarly to those in Major League Baseball (MLB) where the players joined in a kind of true solidarity. Hopefully this becomes a trend.
4
It seems like everybody loses in this morphing baseball dilemma. Signing 10 year 250, million dollar contracts never works out in the life of the player who gets it or the fans waiting for great expectations that never arrive either because of physical, mental or attitude break-downs. Increasing ticket, concession, memorabilia prices are leaving regular fans behind. I guess though, the upper-middle class will fill the void and leave TV to the rest .
The MLBPA is complaining about Bryant being sent down, but aren't they the ones who signed the agreement that gave the Cubs the right to do so?
This is a great business move for the Cubs. By starting the season without him for the first few games, the Cubs not only get an extra year but now they can have essentially a second 'opening day' at Wrigley - and fill the stadium again - when Bryant makes his first appearance.
This is a great business move for the Cubs. By starting the season without him for the first few games, the Cubs not only get an extra year but now they can have essentially a second 'opening day' at Wrigley - and fill the stadium again - when Bryant makes his first appearance.
7
It's also important to acknowledge that, due to such factors as IT and globalization (outsourcing), company executives/owners have gained significant bargaining power in many fields ("either accept these conditions, or we'll replace your labor with someone/something else"). In contrast, major professional athletes have maintained power relative to the owners because they ARE the product. If the MLB/NFL/NBA owners threatened to bring in replacement players (say, a minor leaguer for Pujols or Cabrera), the unions would laugh.
2
So, Scott Boras is again claiming the high ground for the little guy in MLB. How does he spin his representation of Stephen Drew? Mr. Boras turned down a $14.1 million contract for Mr. Drew in 2013 with the RED SOX, his client then sat out half the season with no takers, returned to the SOX with $4 million less and played poorly after his long layoff, and now plays for the YANKEES at $5 million, a cut of almost two thirds from what the SOX would have paid a year ago. I'm not sure Mr. Boras is standing up for the little guy.
3
There is no more "little guy". MLB is the billionaire owners out to make even larger profits. MLBPA is to protect the millionaire players from the billionaires. I love the game, but the athletes (and the owners more so) are not the little guy
Societies without solidarity collapse. It is absolutely true that employers have mastered the fine art of dividing their employees to ensure that none see a common interest in organizing. With only 6.6% of private sector employees now unionized, it is no coincidence that millions of employees live in terror of the whims of their employers. But it is also true that those employers benefit from a level of rampant and self-deluded individualism in America that is rapidly reaching the level of sociopathy. It's why we can't find any notion of common good anywhere, and why our first instinct is to figure out how to prevent and destroy, never how to achieve and improve together to everyone's benefit.
11
The union movement has demonstrated time and time again that it is necessary for worker's well being in terms of salary, healthcare, vacations, length of work day, respect on the job and much more. We are suffering as a nation because of the decline of organized labor. Every study on inequality and lower pay for the middle class points to this fact. Organize!!!
12
And don't forget the great results that's gotten GM and the UAW!
In light of Bryant's stellar Spring, Theo Epstein's explanation was silly. Just be honest. Say it's about the money.
For payback, I can see a scenario where the Cubs miss the play-offs by a couple of games and Bryant's Major League W.A.R. statistic turns out to be high enough such that the Cubs would have won those games had Bryant been placed on the Opening Day roster. It's the type of scenario that fits perfectly with the Cubs' history of bad karma.
Truth is - all this hype about the Cubs is smoke and mirrors. Their four competitors in the NL Central - StL, Pitt. & even Cin. & Mil. - are a cut above them on paper.
For payback, I can see a scenario where the Cubs miss the play-offs by a couple of games and Bryant's Major League W.A.R. statistic turns out to be high enough such that the Cubs would have won those games had Bryant been placed on the Opening Day roster. It's the type of scenario that fits perfectly with the Cubs' history of bad karma.
Truth is - all this hype about the Cubs is smoke and mirrors. Their four competitors in the NL Central - StL, Pitt. & even Cin. & Mil. - are a cut above them on paper.
2
Unions do not improve outcomes in the long run. In the short run they help only the worst workers. I know many will disagree, but again, you need to work under the union execs to understand.