MLS will use replacement referees after labor deal is rejected

The Professional Referee Organization informed MLS that, as of midnight Sunday, it will lock out members of the Professional Soccer Referees Association, which on Saturday turned down a five-year package that PRO says would have increased overall compensation by 25 percent.

Almost 96 percent of voting members voted against the proposal.

“PRO worked for months and addressed all the issues that were raised by PSRA’s bargaining unit,” Nelson Rodriguez, an MLS executive vice president, said in a statement. “It is also unfortunate that the PSRA rejected PRO’s offer for a mutual no strike-no lockout commitment, which would have allowed all match officials to continue working during ongoing negotiations.”

PRO’s contingency plan, MLS said, will utilize “experienced professional match referees supported by veteran officials. We are confident in the comprehensive plan they have put in place.”

PSRA officials work in MLS and the NWSL, among other domestic soccer leagues. The NWSL season begins March 16.

After rejecting the latest offer, the PRSA sounded alarms about using replacement officials, citing a 2014 labor dispute.

“Their lack of familiarity and experience with MLS teams, players and specialized rules created a detriment for the quality of the matches,” the PRSA said.

Peter Manikowski, president and lead negotiator for PSRA, said in a statement, “We think replacement officials generally do not have the current experience and level of fitness required to do our jobs.”

The previous labor agreement between the two organizations expired on Jan. 15. Members twice voted for extensions to allow additional time for bargaining. Those extensions expired last Monday.

“The skyrocketing growth of MLS has significantly increased demands on officials mentally and physically, and as such has increased demands on both our professional and personal time,” Manikowski said. “Our members are asking not only for fair compensation at a time when the league is reporting record growth, but also for the ability to take care of themselves on the road and at home to continue officiating at the highest level that this sport demands.”

PRO General Manager Mark Geiger said in a statement, “We made meaningful progress during recent bargaining, agreeing to fair pay increases, and addressing many of the PSRA’s concerns with respect to noneconomic items.”