At 12:01 AM on Sunday, February 18th, PRO Referees, the organization from MLS to send officiating teams to all matches in MLS, USL, NPSL & the NWSL, officially locked out all of their officials as the union representing them in the PRSA (Professional Referees Soccer Association) has agreed, not to accept PRO's latest offer in their Collective Bargaining Agreement. That means the new MLS season will begin with replacement referees from the college game or other leagues from around the world.
Here is a statement from PRO Referees on their side of the issues. "The Professional Referee Organization (PRO) has been negotiating with the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) since October 2023 but has yet to conclude a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). A tentative agreement was reached last weekend; however, PSRA members who officiate regularly in Major League Soccer voted this week to reject the deal the PSRA’s bargaining committee had negotiated. The PSRA also rejected a proposal from PRO for the parties to mutually agree not to institute a strike or lockout through the 2024 MLS Cup while negotiations continue. Consequently, PRO will lock out its match officials, effective at midnight ET on February 18.
Here is a Statement from Mark Geiger, the General Manager of PRO "Time has been of the essence to conclude a fair deal and move forward together with renewed positivity ahead of our 12th year of supporting the growth of the professional game in the United States and Canada. "We made meaningful progress during recent bargaining, agreeing to fair pay increases, and addressing many of the PSRA's concerns concerning non-economic items. This represented approximately a 25 percent overall increase over 2023 when comparing salary, retainers, game fees, and benefits plus the addition of business class travel for the MLS Cup Playoffs. The result of the membership vote is disappointing. "The PSRA has rejected a no strike/no lockout proposal from PRO through the 2024 MLS Cup, which, along with their public strike authorization, has created significant risk as the 2024 season begins. We are left with no choice but to institute a lockout and use qualified non-bargaining unit officials so that games can go ahead as scheduled." PRO remains committed to reaching an agreement with the PSRA."
Here is a statement from Peter Manikowski, President of the PRSA "OUR MEMBERS ARE ASKING NOT ONLY FOR FAIR COMPENSATION AT A TIME WHEN THE LEAGUE IS REPORTING RECORD GROWTH BUT ALSO FOR THE ABILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES ON THE ROAD AND AT HOME TO CONTINUE OFFICIATING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL THAT THIS SPORT DEMANDS. fEEDBACK FROM OUR MEMBERS INDICATES THE FAILED RATIFICATION WAS DRIVEN BY ISSUES WITH THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PRO WAS OFFERING, AS WELL AS THE LACK OF IMPROVEMENTS TO TRAVEL sCHEDULING AND OTHER QUALITY-OF-LIFE-ISSUES."
The newly proposed CBA was supposed to be a five-year deal. Overall increases in guaranteed pay in the agreement's first year: 10-33% for referees, 75- 104% for assistant referees, and 15-100% for video match officials, plus increased match fees for regular-season games and playoffs.
An increase of seven percent in 2027 for all salaries/retainers and match fees – the highest mid-contract raise ever offered – with three percent increases in all other years.
First/business class air travel for the playoffs and MLS Cup throughout the deal, and for Decision Day in 2027 and 2028.
Additional benefits include enhanced injury continuance for referees and assistant referees, physical therapy reimbursement for referees and assistant referees in PRO’s sports performance program, employer contributions for assistant referees and video match officials for reimbursable health care costs, and increased severance for referees and assistant referees.
The 2024 season is set to open on Saturday, February 24th, with one of the greatest footballers to play in the league for Inter Miami Lionel Messi, and one of the referees from the top leagues will be ready to perform their duties. The last time MLS used replacement referees was at the start of the 2014 season and lasted two weeks till a new CBA was agreed upon and ratified. I don't know if there will be a 180 from both sides to get something done quickly or if we will have the season start with replacements, but this is not a good look for the league. I'm hoping something will get done before things get out of hand.
Are you sure they are locked out of USL? Seems USL negotiated a deal last year?
Actually that first game is on Wednesday
Do not know where they found the replacements but not a good way to start the season. There is still time to iron out the differences but that is unlikely now that they lined up these substitutes.