The 2024 Major League football season will begin on Wednesday and it will probably begin with replacement authorities.
The Union representing officials in Saturday, MLS, NWSL and USL, the professional Football Referee Association (PSRA) rejected a new CBA, which was interacted with a professional referee organization (Pro).
PSRA said that 95.8 percent MLS officials voted to reject the proposal, “We will continue to negotiate in good faith in the coming days and weeks, but the proposal is far from an acceptable path.”
A temporary agreement was signed last week.
“We live for this game, giving it 100 percent of our dedication, experience, fitness and capacity,” PSRA President and leading conversation Peter Manikowski said in a statement. “The sky -touching increase of MLS has greatly increased the demands mentally and physically on the authorities and as if there has been an increase in demands at both our professional and personal time.
“Our members are not only asking for appropriate compensation at a time when the league is reporting a record increase, but also to continue at the highest level for the ability to take care of themselves on the road and at home that demands the game.”
PRSA also dismissed a proposal from Pro for not agreeing to strike or lockout through the 2024 MLS Cup. Therefore, Pro will close the officers starting tomorrow.
In a statement, the Sports Products and Competition Nelson Rodrigue’s MLS Executive Vice President said the league was disappointed in the latest vote that rejected the proposal.
Rodriguez’s statement said, “Pro worked for months and addressed all the issues raised by the PSRA bargaining unit.” “It is also unfortunate that PSRA rejected Pro proposal for a mutual no strike/no lockout commitment, allowing all match officials to continue working during the ongoing conversation.
“Pro has informed us about its casual plan for the upcoming MLS season, including using experienced professional match referees that are supported by experienced VAR officials. We are confident in the comprehensive plan they have kept.”
The season opens on Wednesday that Inter Miami visits Real Salt Lake, followed by a full weekend, 24 and 25 February.
The previous CBA between PSRA and Pro ended on 15 January.
According to Pro, the proposed new five -year CBA would have provided much better salary and benefits for “especially supporting referee and video match officials.”
Pro said that it is “committed to reach an agreement with PSRA”.