replacement refs

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Seems to me like most people have sided with the refs and expressed their displeasure with the league/owners. Most of the comments I've heard on TV, radio, etc. have revolved around telling the owners to make a deal and get the real refs back. In fact, I've heard virtually no discussion of the real refs' demands and whether they are reasonable and should be conceded by the league.

As I understand it, one of the biggest sticking points was the refs' demand for a full blown pension. Foremost, pension benefits have largely been phased out of most compensation packages in favor of defined contribution plans. The league has apparently done this with its employees and didn't want the refs to be the exception. I can certainly understand this stance, particularly considering the refs are generally considered part-time employees with most having full time jobs, often as doctors and lawyers. I certainly wouldn't fault the owners for drawing a line in the sand here and wouldn't hold it against them for refusing to give this concession.

I can fault the owners on one major issue, the ref requested to work this season under the old agreement while they continue to negotiate, but the owners chose to lock them out and bring in the unqualified replacements. Then the owners refused until the last week to have talks. They made an offer and said take it or we lock you out.

That is my complaint. The owners as a group do not care about the shield, they do not care about the game, they do not care about the players, they only care about the bottom line. And this has been a public relations back fire.

And I am for the most part pro business.