Umpires Approve Five-Year Labor Pact with MLB

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7017568140

January 19, 2010 7:17 p.m. EST
Topics: MLB, Sports
Jojo Doria - AHN Sports Contributor

Scottsdale, AZ, United States (AHN) - Members of the major league umpires union ratified late Monday night a new five-year contract with Major League Baseball that will last through 2014.

The new deal was ratified by the vote of 67 members of the World Umpires Association during a general assembly Monday.

Apart from increased flexibility on postseason assignments, expansion of the instant replay system and the retirement concern were among issues in the deal.

The said contract was agreed upon in principal last month, eight days prior to the expiration of the old deal on Dec. 31.

The World Umpires Association became the negotiating channel of umpires on Feb, 2000 after being certified by the National Labor Relations board.

Joe West is the current president of the umpires union. He took over the reigns of the association in April after replacing first president, John Hirschbeck.

Meanwhile, MLB's owners certified the new agreement Thursday at their joint meeting at Paradise Valley, Arizona.

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