The Professional Referee Organization (PRO) has been negotiating with the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) since October 2023 but has yet to conclude a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). A tentative agreement was reached last weekend; however, PSRA members who officiate regularly in Major League Soccer voted to reject the deal the PSRA’s bargaining committee had negotiated.
The PSRA also rejected a proposal from PRO for the parties to mutually agree not to institute a strike or lockout through the 2024 MLS Cup while negotiations continue. Consequently, PRO locked out its match officials at midnight ET on February 18.
The proposed new five-year CBA included these key items:
• Overall increases in guaranteed pay in the agreement’s first year: 10-33% for referees, 75-104% for assistant referees, and 15-100% for video match officials, plus increased match fees for regular-season games and playoffs.
• A seven percent increase in 2027 for all salaries/retainers and match fees – the highest mid-contract raise ever offered – with three percent increases in all other years.
• First/business class air travel for the playoffs and MLS Cup throughout the deal, and for Decision Day in 2027 and 2028.
• Additional benefits include enhanced injury continuance for referees and assistant referees, physical therapy reimbursement for referees and assistant referees in PRO’s sports performance program, employer contributions for assistant referees and video match officials for reimbursable health care costs, and increased severance for referees and assistant referees.
Mark Geiger, PRO’s general manager, said the following:
We made meaningful progress during recent bargaining, agreeing to fair pay increases, and addressing many of the PSRA’s concerns with respect to non-economic items. This represented approximately a 25 percent overall increase over 2023 when comparing salary, retainers, game fees, and benefits plus the addition of business class travel for the MLS Cup Playoffs. The result of the membership vote is disappointing. The PSRA has rejected a no strike/no lockout proposal from PRO through the 2024 MLS Cup, which, along with their public strike authorization, has created significant risk as the 2024 season begins. We are left with no choice but to institute a lockout and use qualified non-bargaining unit officials so that games can go ahead as scheduled.”
This couldn’t have come at a more inopportune time for Major League Soccer (MLS) as they’ve been highly publicizing the start of the 2024 season with over-glamorized preseason tours, Apple TV+ documentaries, and copious campaigns to reach fans old and new. The season kicks off tonight, Wednesday, February 21, as Inter Miami CF hosts Real Salt Lake at Chase Stadium in Miami.
I reached out to PRO for further comment on the lockout and was provided a statement by Communications Manager Chris Rivett. “Our focus is on preparing for the opening round of MLS games this week. PRO and PSRA’s legal counsel will meet to discuss a schedule for further negotiations.”
Following PRO’s announcement, Major League Soccer Executive Vice President of Sporting Product & Competition Nelson Rodríguez issued the following statement:
It’s extremely disappointing that the officials have voted against the tentative agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement reached by the Professional Soccer Referees Association and the Professional Referee Organization. PRO worked for months and addressed all the issues that were raised by PSRA’s bargaining unit. 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 has informed us of its contingency plan for the upcoming MLS season, which includes utilizing experienced professional match referees supported by veteran VAR officials. We are confident in the comprehensive plan they have put in place.”
Fans will need to subscribe to MLS Season Pass if they want to watch the 2024 season kick off tonight.