| Labor Pains
|
|---|
| Since 1972, each time a baseball labor contract has expired there has been a work stoppage, either by a players strike or an owners lockout. Following are baseball's eight work stoppages wirth type, length, games missed and issues.
|
| Year
|
Stoppage
|
Days
|
Games
|
Key Issues
|
| 1972
|
Strike
|
14
|
86
|
player pensions, binding arbitration
|
Work stoppage lasted from April 1-12
Result:
Players union and owners reach accord on a new collective bargaining agreement. Owners eventually agreed to add an additional $500,000 to the pension fund. Players forfeit payment for games missed during strike, but gain the right to salary arbitration.
|
| 1973
|
Lockout
|
12
|
0
|
salary arbitration
|
Work stoppage lasted from Feb. 8-25
Result:
Camps open late but season starts on time with a new three-year collective bargaining agreement. Owners raise their contribution to the pension plan and increase minimum salaries from $13,500 to $15,000 in the first year and to $16,500 in the third year.
|
| 1976
|
Lockout
|
17
|
0
|
free agency, re-entry draft
|
Work stoppage lasted from March 1-17
Result:
Federal judge John Oliver issued order making pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally free agents, upholding a ruling made the previous year by baseball arbitrator Peter Seitz. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn orders camps opened and a new Basic Agreement is negotiated.
|
| 1980
|
Strike
|
8
|
0
|
free-agent compensation
|
Work stoppage lasted from April 1-8
Result:
Final eight days of spring training lost, but season starts on time and a four-year agreement is reached, with a clause allowing the free agency issue to be re-opened in 1981.
|
| 1981
|
Strike
|
50
|
712
|
free-agent compensation
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Work stoppage lasted from June 12-July 31
Result:
Players' strike cancels 712 games. Owners lose right to have clubs directly compensated for the loss of free agents. Owners win right to retain players for six years and to be compensated with other players, as well as amateurs from the draft.
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| 1985
|
Strike
|
2
|
0
|
salary arbitration
|
Work stoppage lasted from Aug. 6-7
Result:
Owners agree to contribute $33 million for the next three years to the pension fund and $39 million in 1989. The players' minimum salary increases from $40,000 to $60,000.
|
| 1990
|
Lockout
|
32
|
0
|
salary arbitration and salary cap
|
Work stoppage lasted from Feb. 15-March 18
Result:
Camps open late. Owners raise their annual pension fund contribution to $55 million. Salary arbitration eligibility agreed to for 17 percent of the players with between two and three years of experience. The minimum salary increases to $100,000.
|
| 1994-95
|
Strike
|
232
|
938
|
salary cap and revenue sharing
|
Work stoppage lasted from Aug. 12-March 31
Result:
Postseason is cancelled. Judge's ruling ending labor dispute orders that 1995 and 1996 seasons must be played under previously existing labor conditions. New agreement is signed in March of '97 with implementation of a luxury tax on big-market owners for overspending.
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