Minor League Baseball players were approved on Wednesday to join the Major League Baseball Players Association following a ruling that validated the union-authorization cards, which was followed by MLB recognizing the union as their new 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 following the ruling. “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.”
MLB and commissioner Rob Manfred decided to go the easier of the routes presented after the minor league players took their step, and voluntarily recognize them as part of the players union. a huge win for advocates of their cause, via Alden Gonzales, Jeff Passan and Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com:
Late Wednesday afternoon, thousands of minor league players became members of the Major League Baseball Players Association after an arbitrator officially validated their union-authorization cards and the league voluntarily recognized the union as players’ bargaining representative — the last step in the surprisingly quick unionization of Minor League Baseball.
“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.
Joining union is another victory for Minor League players
Prior to last season, MLB and teams weren’t required to ensure housing for their players, and the terrible stories regarding cramped living quarters began to surface. The neglect and terrible circumstances began to surface with numerous teams, including the Los Angeles Angels, as one of the league’s worst organizations with how they cared for the Minor League players.
But beginning this year MLB teams were forced to provide housing for all Minor League players at all levels.