AP Photo/Julio Cortez, file
Minor league baseball players are now officially part of the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Communications MLBPA @MLBPA_News
Statement from Executive Director Tony Clark Regarding Minor League Player Membership in the MLBPA pic.twitter.com/RrZO9AR22p
Evan Drellich @Evan Drellich
MLB statement: “Major League Baseball has a long history of bargaining in good faith with unions, including those representing major and minor league umpires and major league players. We respect workers’ right to decide. themselves to unionize.” pic.twitter.com/EYVfh0CQJW
ESPN Jeff Passan first reported that the minor league player’s union clearance cards had been validated by a referee, signifying the final step toward MLBPA membership.
Commissioner Rob Manfred previously said the league would voluntarily recognize minor league inclusion in the players’ association, per Passan. This came after a majority of players voted to unionize earlier this month.
“Minor league players have made it clear that they want MLBPA to represent them and are prepared to enter into collective bargaining to positively impact the upcoming season,” MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said afterward. the original vote.
The MLBPA recently negotiated a new five-year collective agreement that was signed in March after a three-month lockout.
The organization can now turn its attention to helping minor league players, who previously suffered from a lack of representation.
Major League Baseball agreed to pay a $185 million settlement to current and former players in July after allegations it violated minimum wage laws.
“This is my eighth year,” Baltimore Orioles prospect Andres Angulo told The Athletic’s Evan Drellich. “Last year I came home with $500 in my pocket. And I don’t think that’s something I want in my life. But I’m still in baseball, just because I dream of getting into it. to the major leagues. But I don’t think it’s fair for us.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee said in June it planned to hold hearings into the league’s treatment of minor leaguers.
