A few weeks ago, a frustrated MLB considered that negotiations with the Players Association were at a stalemate.
They thought that a federal mediator would help accelerate negotiations.
The union rejected the idea, saying that they need to negotiate directly with owners.
The owners believed they needed mediation to help solve something (a lockout) that was implemented by them: they could lift it at any time, they just don’t want to because the season would occur without a collective bargaining agreement and they would lose leverage.
That’s why players rejected any third-party help: they didn’t consider it necessary.
Some players even said that any federal mediator would need at least a couple of weeks to get caught up with every little detail of the talks.
MLB Just Won’t Let Go Of The Idea Of A Mediator
Just when we all thought the idea was already in the rearview mirror, owners proved that’s not the case.
“MLB again suggested a mediator Tuesday, but the union again wasn’t biting. Not a formal request like league made previously, per a person familiar with the situation,” the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes reported via Twitter.
MLB again suggested a mediator Tuesday, but the union again wasn’t biting. Not a formal request like league made previously, per a person familiar with the situation.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) February 22, 2022
One can’t help but think why MLB thinks a mediator can help the parties reach a deal.
It goes without saying that the Players Association would have to approve any third-party intervention for it to occur: that’s not something the league can just impose.
By all accounts, a federal mediator won’t be taking over negotiations because players are clearly opposed.
Both sides still have a handful of days before reaching the MLB-imposed negotiations deadline, scheduled for February 28.
If a new deal doesn’t exist by that date, the season may not start on time.
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