In a sign of continued labor peace, Major League Baseball and its umpires’ union have reached a tentative agreement on a new five-year collective bargaining agreement. The deal, which runs through the 2029 season, marks the fifth consecutive CBA reached without any work stoppages or major disputes between the league and its arbiters.
The specific terms have not yet been disclosed publicly, as both the MLB Umpires Association membership and team owners must still ratify the agreement in separate votes next month. However, the agreement in principle ahead of the holidays bodes well for ratification and seamless implementation of the new pact.
A Partnership Approach Pays Off
In a statement, the umpires’ union credited the positive working relationship and open communication between the parties for the relatively smooth negotiations. “It’s a fair contract and the Office of the Commissioner treated us with respect throughout,” the MLBUA said. “We understand the role we play in our game and have worked hard to build our relationship into a partnership.”
This partnership mentality marks a significant evolution from the acrimony surrounding earlier labor talks. Umpires engaged in repeated work stoppages in the 1970s through 1990s, culminating in a mass resignation in 1999 that led to 22 umpires losing their jobs.
Repairing a Fractured History
The nadir of umpire-league relations came during that 1999 dispute, when a resignation scheme by umpires backfired. Of the 22 umps who lost their jobs:
- 11 were eventually rehired over the next six years
- The last of the 22 did not return until prior to the 2005 season
But in the aftermath, cooler heads prevailed and both sides gradually built trust. Starting with the 2005 CBA, baseball has now seen 20 years of uninterrupted labor peace with its umpires, a streak both sides clearly prioritized extending with this early agreement.
Looming Technology Questions
With the new CBA, the stage is now set for potential changes to how the game is officiated on the field. Most notably, MLB plans to test its automated ball-strike system (ABS) during spring training games in 2025.
Umpires have long been hesitant about so-called “robot umpires.” But the MLBUA’s willingness to ratify this deal strongly suggests compromises have been reached behind closed doors on the implementation of ABS or other technology that could supplement or supplant certain umpire duties.
Our game will continue to evolve and we look forward to being a part of the positive growth in the years to come.
– MLB Umpires Association statement
This acknowledgement of inevitable changes, however gradual, represents a pragmatic approach by the union to maintain its seat at the table. Rather than resisting progress outright, the MLBUA appears focused on facilitating an orderly transition that protects the interests and livelihoods of its members.
A Model for Other Sports
While details remain to be seen, baseball’s ability to consistently secure long-term labor deals with its officials provides a playbook for other leagues. As recently as 2022, the NFL dealt with criticism over its handling of referee negotiations, underscoring the value of true partnership.
No relationship between leagues and their officials will ever be perfect. But with its fifth straight CBA reached without rancor, MLB continues to set an increasingly high bar. If the full details reveal creative solutions for integrating new technology collaborative rather than combatively, the league may write yet another chapter in a remarkable turnaround story in labor relations.
