Politics

NFL Accused of Hiring ‘Scabs’ After Negotiations With NFL Referees Break Down

NEW YORK (AP/The Blaze) – The NFL will start hiring and training possible replacement officials with a deal not yet completed with the NFL Referees Association.

Talks between the league and the officials broke down after two mediation sessions that followed nine bargaining negotiations since October. Both sides have said they expect a new collective bargaining agreement in time for the upcoming season.

But that optimism has disappeared.

A session was held Sunday under the auspices of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and the NFLRA said the league “terminated negotiations” on Monday.

The NFL said new demands made by the officials led to the end of talks.

“In yesterday’s session, the NFLRA … abandoned positions that it had previously taken with both us and the mediators, and made economic demands totaling millions of additional dollars that they had agreed to drop at earlier sessions,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said.

The league said that regional training sessions for replacement officials would begin this month “to ensure that there is no disruption to NFL games this season.”

“Our goal is to maintain the highest quality of officiating for our teams, players, and fans, including proper enforcement of the playing rules and efficient management of our games,” the league said in a statement.

The NFL’s search would target retired college officials and perhaps current ones who would be qualified to work professional games.

Referees counsel Mike Arnold called those replacements “amateur referees.”

“It is unfortunate that as referees’ responsibilities are expanded that the NFL would jeopardize player health and safety and the integrity of the game by seeking amateur, under-qualified referees to administer professional games,” Arnold said.

But Aiello argued that there is nothing amateur about the potential replacements.

“The officials we are hiring are professionals who officiate games at a high level and have backgrounds similar to current NFL officials,” Aiello said. “We have every confidence that the officials who we bring on will do a fully credible job, and will manage our games efficiently and effectively enforce the playing rules.”

Most NFL officials hold other jobs in the offseason.

Detroit Lions quarterback Shaun Hill prefers to see the usual game officials on the field.

“We hope our regular crews are ready to go after they get everything worked out,” Hill said. “But if not, the game has to go on.”

The NFL made a seven-year proposal that offered increases of between 5 percent and 11 percent in wages per year. First-year officials who made an average of $78,000 in 2011 would earn more than $165,000 by the end of the new agreement. A 10-year veteran in 2011 who made $139,000 would get more than $200,000 in 2018.

Aiello said the NFL also offered a retirement arrangement under which each official would receive annual contributions starting at $16,500 and increasing to almost $23,000, plus a wide range of investment opportunities and expanded reimbursement for medical insurance costs.

The players’ union expressed its concern about replacement officials, issuing a statement saying:

“In 2011, the NFL tasked officials with increased responsibilities in protecting player health and safety, and its search for scabs undermines that important function. Professional athletes require professional referees, and we believe in the NFL Referees Association’s trained first responders. ”

In 2001, the league used replacement officials for one preseason game, then the first weekend of the regular season. An agreement was then reached, and another CBA was negotiated in 2006 that expired after last season.

Comments (52)

1 2
  • Gonzo
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 8:46am

    Hey refs, you CAN be replaced.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 9:14am

      That is how you do it. IF they want to walk off the job, get somebody who wants to work and then ban the union. Time to stop the commies at every level.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:02am

      I‘m sure the college ranks are full of guys that wouldn’t mind a raise. They are just as good (or bad).

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Ron Staiger
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 8:29am

    I have no sympathy for any union after what they’ve done to this nation. Rather be a scab than a marxist pig!

    Report Post »  
    • G-WHIZ
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:43am

      They are not “scabs”…they’re NON-UNION workers who can do the job even better…private enterprise always caused improvements in quality, price, and availability. They are not [controlled] by a huge government-type entitty. This is ALL ABOUT THE UNION MONEY-LOSS, and NOT about the workers. The workers always LOOSE, when out-on-strike…time/pay-loss, while union-bosses ALWAYS get paid…and bonuses, too!!

      Report Post »  
    • jeanr
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 12:57pm

      So why don’t you have any problem with the NFL, which essentially is a Socialist organization with its forced revenue sharing and strict rules on how owners operate their clubs? Is it because you aren’t a deep thinker and just yell “Marxist” everytime you see the word union?

      Report Post »  
  • pinchanze
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 8:23am

    So the scabs would be “retired college officials and perhaps current ones who would be qualified to work professional games.” Do all Union Ref’s make the “right call?“ If they ”do not,“ why are they able to negotiate under ”collective bargaining?”

    Report Post » pinchanze  
  • reconmarine
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 6:34am

    The only scabs in society are unions which have been a seeping wound in this country for years. There are people out there willing to do the job without expecting everyone else to pay for their benefits. Unions are scabs…period.

    Report Post »  
  • Southernsoul
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 6:08am

    Here is an employment contract: We will pay you X for doing Y. If you don’t like that, go work somewhere else.

    Report Post » Southernsoul  
  • tomloy
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 5:45am

    The NFL should fire em all and hire new refs. Let em be on the unemployment line for awhile and see how they like it.

    Report Post »  
    • countryfirst
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 8:01am

      Being a NFL referee is only a part-time job, most of them are very professional people. They do not need the pay to survive, and this is part of the problem. I would love to make that salary for 8 months of work.

      Report Post » countryfirst  
  • VoteRightDammit
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 4:15am

    Who cares??????????

    Unions are the source of all known evil in the universe.
    ANYTHING that has the effect of weakening them is good, good, good!

    Report Post » VoteRightDammit  
  • joehanx2
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 3:14am

    NFL which cost you more non union members or non fans

    Report Post »  
    • Kevin The Elder
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 4:10am

      Unfortunately, the story doesn‘t give a breakdown of exactly how much of the referees’ time is spent on the job. As an outsider looking in, we only see them working one day a week for less than one half a year. I suspect that there’s many more hours and maybe even many more days involved, but still, starting at $78,000 and ending at $165,000 with employer contributions of approximately $20,000 per year, is a lot better than cops make, many of whom work in the most dangerous areas, full time, while laying their life on the line. If the referees want to try for more than they are being offered, that’s perfectly okay, but if the league were to hire replacements, that seems sensible to me.

      All my life, I’ve been saying that unions are a necessary evil; sports are a perfect example. Ridiculous salaries (even in the leagues’ offices, I’m sure) have made it that the average citizen can’t afford to take his family to a game. The entire structure would collapse if corporations stopped their practice of buying tickets. When you think of it, that practice raises the prices of the games and the corporations products for us and we get less for our money. No, I’m not an Occupier, just a Common Senser.

      Report Post »  
  • joehanx2
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 3:10am

    yay

    Report Post »  
  • CowboyExpat
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 2:41am

    Nice photo with the article…just sayin’

    Report Post » CowboyExpat  
  • Doctor Nordo
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 2:32am

    Pros…lmao. After witnessing the debacle that was the 2005 Superbowl between Seattle and Pittsburgh and how Seattle was ROBBED of the championship by amateurish and/or bias referees I will never trust those guys ever again and am glad that the NFL has taken this stand against them.

    Report Post » Doctor Nordo  
    • Rajabear1
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 3:27am

      Hey, Az feels your pain after the Steelers/Cards SB.

      Report Post »  
  • Servant Of YHVH
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:36am

    Good for you NFL. You finally did something that I’m proud of you for. Anything that weakens or eliminates unions is good for this nation!

    Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:28am

    mm MM mm

    Everybody’s Kung Fu fighting……

    over money.

    Report Post » Stoic one  
  • biffo
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 12:55am

    Keep all the racist NFL’s out of work. Players and refs.

    Report Post »  
  • US-First
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 12:47am

    Why do my posts never get posted!!

    Report Post »  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:34am

      I’m not sure us-first but if I ever see your post on here then I’ll know that they posted it.

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
  • TankMG_OldMan
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 12:29am

    Anybody who actually bothered to watch the last few seasons would have to admit, not much difference between the scabs and “pros.”

    Report Post » TankMG_OldMan  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:57pm

    screw the union

    i once broke a picket line ………………….and i didnt even work there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » Psychosis  
    • mr.goodvibe
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 12:04am

      That is funny, I just had a meeting with a plastics company to work their pdm program as an outside contractor because the union did not have anybody trained for the job and their guy left, the sad thing is that we asked them if they fore seen any violence, they said that they talked to the guys and there woud not be any, I am used to working around unions, the sad thing is that the topic of union violence even needed to be addressed.

      Report Post » mr.goodvibe  
  • jeanr
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:56pm

    By the way Blaze, the terms “Officials” and “Referees” are not interchangable.

    Report Post »  
  • mr.goodvibe
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:49pm

    Just bring in inmates with their jail stripes on and let them make the same bad calls and it will be done for free. Problem solved.

    Report Post » mr.goodvibe  
  • JACKTHETOAD
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:27pm

    I used to eat scabs. Not only mine…

    Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • blackyb
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:25pm

    My sister-in-law was hardly computer literate and taught computers as part of her curriculum to grade students. This is to say, it put me in mind of Obama teaching law, but the kind of law he absorbed and, no doubt taught is being seen in their endeavors to tear down this country. This nation is in deep trouble if that man slips in again, unless they do their jobs and impeach or get him and Holder out through legal mean with Congress making a stand. This country is already listing and is seriously in danger of sinking.

    Report Post » blackyb  
  • blackyb
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:20pm

    Those belonging to a Union have no monopoly on health and safety. What a joke.

    Report Post » blackyb  
    • rawmilker
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:46pm

      Well once the replacements get a couple games under their belt, they won’t be amatuers anymore…..bust em! $140K for six months to referee a game is rediculous….

      Report Post » rawmilker  
  • mgcre
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:14pm

    Give me a freaking break. It’s not like they are hiring from the local state state…..well, that may help!

    Report Post »  
  • SandyfromChesterfield
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:13pm

    What other job besides government jobs are getting between 5 and 11 percent increase in wages? I say they priced themselves out of business,

    Report Post »  
    • jeanr
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:43pm

      The NFL continues to increase it’s revenues at an incredible rate. They can afford it and more. As much as I love it, the NFL has shown disregard for a crucial part of the game (officiating) by not hiring officials full time so that they can concentrate on improvement year-round. The shabby health care for retired players also is shameful. The NFL needs to invest in itself and improve or it will do to itself what NASCAR did to itself a few years ago by getting excessively greedy and losing touch.

      Report Post »  
    • US-First
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 12:46am

      Don’t you think retired players should have been thinking about their retirement healthcare while they were raking in the money. Sorry but I have no sympathy for folks making 6, 7 or 8 figures who did not think about putting some away for health care especially given their occupation. They live the high-life off the money when its flowing and then expect someone to care when its not. Instead of buying that 10 million dollar home, 90k car and 10k ******, they should have kept a moderate home, moderate car but still keep the 10k ******! I don’t care.

      Report Post »  
    • Rajabear1
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 4:09am

      @jeanr-Maybe you missed the part where these guys work other jobs off season and still make that kind on money. Yes, the NFL is huge and makes lots of money and by all appearances, they pay quite well. Also, keep in mind that this is only their BASE PAY. I guarantee you they have all kinds perks and additional comps that shoots up the pay way beyond base pay in those referee’s union bargained contracts like there always are in union crap.
      You mentioned something about retirement comps for players. May I ask why that is the NFL’s responsibility? They should have put money aside along time ago rather than blowing it and living like that paycheck would always be there. NFL has had mandatory money management programs for YEARS for players because of their irresponsibility. And guess what? They still go broke.
      I love football, but I have to tell you, I’ve been losing interest in the NFL for a plethora of reasons as each year goes by.
      Bottom line-NFL is a private industry and it’s their money. If they feel the refs/union are holding the NFL hostage in this deal, they have every right to decline and train/hire folks that will do the job. And the replacements aren’t scabs, they’re working for a living. I’m stunned at their wages for part-time work, but that‘s the NFL’s choice, too.
      FYI-NFL needs to save all the money they possibly can to payoff all the lawsuits from players that are surprised that such a violent sport could cause permanent damage. I call BS.

      Report Post »  
    • PonyCar67
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 8:48am

      *Sandyfromchesterfield*
      I AM a Federal Government employee, if you would be so kind as to look into the facts, there has been NO pay inflation/cost of living increase since 2009. In addition to that I would point out that a good number of the “Professional” jobs in the Government make LESS than their civilian counterparts. I currently make $65,062 yet I am “well qualified” for the Jobs in the area that are offering $90k-$120k. Please do not insult your own intelligence by making broad sweeping statements that assume the situation is the same across the entire Government spectrum.

      Report Post »  
    • teddrunk
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:08am

      Ponycar67, You’ve got to be kidding. The economy has people out of work, losing their homes. People losing well paying jobs and taking those that pay much less, or trying to now get by with 2 part time jobs and you’re whining about COLA raises?! Only an overpaid, under worked person with no idea of what it’s like in the real world would actually whine about a job paying $65K a year with benefits.
      Please believe me, do everyone of us tax payers that pay your wage a favor, and take that job in the private sector that pays more, and give your job to someone with no job who would be thrilled to have it, or even one paying half as much. Government employees like you are exactly why we need Walker in our state.

      Report Post »  
    • jeanr
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:10pm

      The average NFL career is about 4 years long and most players do not make the multi-million deals that you see covered on ESPN. The NFL has been built on the backs of these players and millionaire owners have become billionaire owners in the Socialist NFL (forced revenue sharing and league rules on owners make it socialist). So claiming this is an issue of most players squandering away huge fortunes shows your barely elementary understanding of the league. And the argument that this is a free market decision is laughable given the whole system is Socialist to begin with.

      Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:07pm

    They could hire the staff from the deaf and blind school, and get better referreeing. The NFL should hire these guys full time, not allow side jobs, and there should be an age limit. I will give it to those old guys getting hit and running up and down the field, but some of these guys are getting slow and can’t keep up with the action to make a good call.

    Make a rule, if you are eligable for social security and voted for Nixon, you have to retire.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:16pm

      Whistle blows

      15 yard penalty and loss of down for age discrimination.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:38pm

      Its all about being able to keep up with the game. Not saying fire the guys, when they can’t keep up, move them upstairs and they can become replay officials. Younger guys should be down on the field, and especially be able to keep up with the play. How many times have you seen the ref running behind the play and miss a holding/illegal block/facemask, or throw a flag because they have a bad angle, because they can’t keep up with the players.

      Come on, some of these guys are older than I am, and I know I can’t get out there and mix it up with the NFL guys.

      But who doesn’t remember that one old ref making the call “15 yards, for giving him the buisness”. Classic

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
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