The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA), the union that represents officials working in MLS, the NWSL, and the USL, rejected a proposed new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) put before it by the union’s executive board, and negotiated with the Professional Referees Organization (PRO), the referees’ employer.
Around 98% of the union membership participated in the vote, with 95.8% voting to reject ratification. The vote took place Thursday and Friday, and in response, the PRO is now saying it will lock out the referees starting at midnight ET on Saturday and begin the season with replacement officials.
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“The skyrocketing growth of MLS has significantly increased demands on officials mentally and physically, and as such has increased demands on both our professional and personal time,” Peter Manikowski, president and lead negotiator for PSRA, said in a news release.
“Our members are asking not only for fair compensation at a time when the league is reporting record growth, but also for the ability to take care of themselves on the road and at home to continue officiating at the highest…
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