Minor League Baseball players officially joined the MLB Players Association this week after an arbitrator validated the union-authorization cards and Major League Baseball voluntarily recognized the union as the players’ bargaining representatives.
“I applaud this extraordinary group of young Players and welcome them to the MLBPA,” MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said in a statement. “This historic achievement required the right group of Players at the right moment to succeed.
“Minor Leaguers have courageously seized that moment, and we look forward to improving their terms and conditions of employment through the process of good faith collective bargaining.
“I also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of Harry Marino and the dedicated group he led at Advocates for Minor Leaguers, without whom this historic organizing campaign would not have been possible.”
Minor League Baseball players were distributed their cards on Aug. 28, and more than 5,500 of them returned them signed. The MLBPA will now represent players at each of the four affiliated levels, and those at teams’ Florida and Arizona complexes.
The two sides plan to start bargaining over the Minor Leagues’ first collective bargaining agreement at the end of the 2022 season.
“Major League Baseball has a long history of bargaining in good faith with unions, including those representing minor and major league umpires, and major league players,” MLB said in a statement.
“We respect the right of workers to decide for themselves whether to unionize. Based on authorization cards gathered, MLB has voluntarily and promptly recognized the MLBPA as the representatives of minor league players.
“We are hopeful that a timely and fair collective bargaining agreement will be reached that is good for the game, minor league players and our fans.”
Minor League Baseball joining MLBPA is latest win for players
Prior to officially unionizing this week, MLB raised the minimum wage for Minor League Baseball players last year. The league also began requiring teams to provide housing for most Minor Leaguers this season.
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