Comments on: Don’t Panic: The Union Did NOT Vote to Strike

By: sean

sean — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:38:05 +0000

I think if there is a strike it won’t last long. There will be enough MLS guys that cross the line because they can’t financially handle being out of work. The owners will get other players that would jump at a chance to play in a pro league, and they will field teams. The season might have a delayed start, but it would go on. The owners won’t be hurting because of a strike. And the general/casual fan won’t know there is a strike or the difference as to who is on the field since they just see uniforms. Ouside of a few big names (Donovan, Beckham, Keller, etc.) most wouldn’t recognize a player walking down the street. I really don’t think the players have enough leverage at this point. A few more years with a more established league, maybe, but not now.

By: PC Cobb

PC Cobb — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:33:15 +0000

Actually we might do pretty good in s Scab league. Bet we’d make the playoffs for a change.

By: gstommylee

gstommylee — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:57:50 +0000

I say the “no need for a 2nd vote” is just to put pressure on the league.

And to think they can claim they have agreed to strike while still under mediation talks with the league is wrong.

I just don’t think they have the vote do actually call the strike.

shlebyg75

a vote to authorize a vote to strike is different than a vote to actually strike.

But as long as the players are continuing to talk under mediation with the league they can not strike.

By: jim

jim — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:26:59 +0000

Yes they did douche. How does it feel to be a Bill Archer shill. kumquat.

By: smorbs

smorbs — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:11:04 +0000

You might be right, but the answer would be in the Union’s bylaws. Every Union is different. E.g., some say that a 2/3 rejection of a contract is automatically strike authorization. There’s no law requiring a 2-step vote process like you described. Get your hands on the MLSPU’s bylaws and you’d have your answer. Possibly they’re filed with the MD agency responsible for corporate filings.

By: ms

ms — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:44:18 +0000

what is the possibility of scabs?

By: shlebyg75

shlebyg75 — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:04:58 +0000

I hope this vote gives the negotiating committee the power to get something done now… I understand many of the players concerns and actually hope they can make some progress. Until now I feel like they were a bunch of high school students signing a petition to get the principal to do something… I hope this may give them a little power and credibility now.

One problem I see is very little of the top tier players speaking out in support of this. Apparently they are supporting it, a 350-2 vote would seem to imply that. But I think having some of the top players speaking out as to the issues and problems may give them more credibility at least in the public eye…

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:43:37 +0000

How do we know that the league has yet to negotiate in good faith? They may not have caved to demands that their business model be redesigned, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t tried to work with the players.

By: soccerroo

soccerroo — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:30:19 +0000

Ehat does a strike vote do to the foreign -players work visas? That would be the one reason I could see them not wanting a strike.

By: The Sweeper: Strike Looms in MLS, Will the Players Lose the PR Battle With Fans? | Pitch Invasion

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:27:04 +0000

[...] problem is that according to Buzz Carrick, a further vote will be needed by the players to actually go on strike. This means that any strike [...]