NEW YORK -- Donald Fehr, the head of the players'
association, was given an unprecedented invitation to address a
baseball owners' meeting Thursday.
The invitation, announced Monday by baseball commissioner Bud
Selig, was surprising given the painful history of labor relations
in the sport, which has seen eight work stoppages since 1972.
Selig spoke to eight players during a bargaining session in New
York last Wednesday.
"As it was important for me to speak to the players, I believe
it is important for Don to address the owners," Selig said in a
statement. "This dialogue, while historical and unprecedented, is
absolutely necessary if we are to increase the level of
understanding that will allow us to make the proper adjustments for
this industry to move forward and prosper."
Relations between the union, formed in 1966, and owners have
been strained. Fehr's predecessors, Marvin Miller and Kenneth
Moffett, were never invited to speak to a gathering of all owners.
"We've had their representatives at our meetings before," Fehr
said. "We appreciate the invitation. We'll see what happens."
Baseball's collective bargaining agreement expired Nov. 7, and
negotiations for a new agreement have been slowed by Selig's plan
to eliminate two teams and the union's grievance to stop the
contraction plan.
Selig last week proposed that teams increase the amount of
locally generated revenue they share, after deductions for ballpark
expenses, from 20 percent to 50 percent. He also proposed a 50
percent luxury tax on the amounts of payrolls over $98 million. His
method of accounting include all players on 40-man rosters and
benefits.
Players have not responded to the proposal but have said they
would oppose any plan that acts as a salary cap.
Neither side has threatened a work stoppage, and spring training
appears likely to start as scheduled in mid-February.
Management lawyer Rob Manfred testified Monday on the 10th day
of the hearing on the grievance by the players' association to
block contraction. The hearing recessed until Jan. 24.
An additional hearing date is scheduled for Jan. 28. With
Manfred's testimony incomplete, it is increasingly unlikely
arbitrator Shyam Das will make a decision until late in spring
training.
Owners voted Nov. 6 to eliminate two teams. While Minnesota and
Montreal are the likely targets, an injunction issued by a
Minnesota judge forces the team to play this season at the
Metrodome.
The Minnesota Court of Appeals has not yet ruled on the request
by the Twins and Selig to lift the injunction.
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