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NFL finally ends labor stalemate with the referees
Source: Agencies |
September 28, 2012, Friday
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THE NFL's regular referees will be back on the field after the league and refs' union broke a labor impasse late on Wednesday.
After two days of marathon negotiations? and mounting frustration among coaches, players and fans? the NFL and the referees' union announced that a tentative agreement had been reached to end a lockout that began in June.
Commissioner Roger Goodell, who was at the bargaining table on Tuesday and Wednesday, said the regular officials would work yesterday's late game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.
"Welcome back REFS," Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller tweeted.
The replacements worked the first three weeks of games, triggering a wave of outrage that threatened to disrupt the rest of the season. After a missed call cost the Green Bay Packers a win on a chaotic final play at Seattle on Monday night, the two sides really got serious.
"We are glad to be getting back on the field for this week's games," referees' union president Scott Green said.
The tentative eight-year deal is the longest involving on-field officials in NFL history and was reached with the assistance of two federal mediators. It must be ratified by 51 percent of the union's 121 members, who plan to vote today and tomorrow in Dallas.
The agreement hinged on working out salary, pension and retirement benefits for the officials, who are part-time employees. It calls for their salaries to increase from an average of US$149,000 a year in 2011 to US$173,000 in 2013.
After two days of marathon negotiations? and mounting frustration among coaches, players and fans? the NFL and the referees' union announced that a tentative agreement had been reached to end a lockout that began in June.
Commissioner Roger Goodell, who was at the bargaining table on Tuesday and Wednesday, said the regular officials would work yesterday's late game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.
"Welcome back REFS," Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller tweeted.
The replacements worked the first three weeks of games, triggering a wave of outrage that threatened to disrupt the rest of the season. After a missed call cost the Green Bay Packers a win on a chaotic final play at Seattle on Monday night, the two sides really got serious.
"We are glad to be getting back on the field for this week's games," referees' union president Scott Green said.
The tentative eight-year deal is the longest involving on-field officials in NFL history and was reached with the assistance of two federal mediators. It must be ratified by 51 percent of the union's 121 members, who plan to vote today and tomorrow in Dallas.
The agreement hinged on working out salary, pension and retirement benefits for the officials, who are part-time employees. It calls for their salaries to increase from an average of US$149,000 a year in 2011 to US$173,000 in 2013.
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