1999 Major League Umpires Association mass resignation

1999 Major League Baseball labor dispute April 2026 August 2023 The 1999 Major League Umpires Association mass resignation was a labor tactic used by 68 Major League Baseball (MLB) umpires, including 66 members of the Major League Umpires Association (MLUA), the official umpires union at the time. Unable to strike because they had a labor agreement in place at the time, 57 umpires formally resigned by orchestrated letters in an attempt to force negotiations with MLB for a new labor agreement. The American and National Leagues instead immediately hired new umpires and accepted 22 of the resignations. The union membership became fractured on the issue, and the umpires tried to rescind their resignations, but the MLUA was unsuccessful in retaining the jobs of the 22 umpires and the resignations were seen as final. The incident led to the decertification of the MLUA and the formation of a new union, the World Umpires Association (WUA), now the Major League Baseball Umpires Association. Background After its certification in 1969, the MLUA had organized several strikes, including one before the playoffs in 1970. In addition, the union's members were locked out multiple times. One of these lockouts occurred at the start of the 1995 season and lasted for more than 80 games per team before the sides reached a collective bargaining agreement. It was set to expire after 1999, and the MLUA became concerned that MLB would again lock out the umpires.Alcaro, p. 341. Entering the 1999 MLB season, the union was dealing with disagreements with MLB on a variety of issues. The league sought to make it easier to replace umpires, and proposed a restructuring of the umpiring system; instead of MLUA members answering to the American and National Leagues, MLB wanted them under the control of the commissioner.Madden Bill July 15, 1999 Umps Toss Selves Out Miffed Over Suspension, Say They Will Quit Sept. 2 New York Daily News http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/umps-toss-miffed-suspension-quit-sept-2-article-1.852536 April 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20180619040514/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/umps-toss-miffed-suspension-quit-sept-2-article-1.852536 June 19, 2018 In addition, MLB wanted changes in the strike zone that umpires called during games. The commissioner's office ordered that pitches high in the zone be called strikes. This went against common practice and brought objections from the umpires and MLUA leadership,March 10, 1999 Umps enforce new strike zone: MLB's plan to call high strikes gets aggressive start in preseason Amarillo Globe-News Associated Press http://amarillo.com/stories/031099/spo_166-3108.shtml dead April 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20171113112711/http://www.amarillo.com/stories/031099/spo_166-3108.shtml November 13, 2017 which believed that the collective bargaining agreement was being violated. The MLUA also had a complaint against the Major League Baseball Players Association, when it released a survey of players, which included umpire ratings, publicly. During the season, there were numerous disputes between umpires and MLB owners. One involved Tom Hallion, who was suspended for three days by NL president Leonard Coleman after bumping a player. Another regarded the amount of pay owed to umpires who officiated the exhibition games between the Baltimore Orioles and Cuban national baseball team.Chass Murray July 15, 1999 Baseball; Umpires Threaten To Quit On Sept. 2 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/15/sports/baseball-umpires-threaten-to-quit-on-sept-2.html April 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20211021025941/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/15/sports/baseball-umpires-threaten-to-quit-on-sept-2.html October 21, 2021 Resignations On July 14, the umpires held a meeting in Philadelphia. There, they held a vote proposing a strike, which passed; however, the collective bargaining agreement was still in place. With that in mind, the union decided on a different course of action: a mass resignation by umpires. Richie Phillips, the MLUA's leader, announced on July 15 that 57 umpires would resign, effective September 2. According to umpire Dave Phillips, the resignations were intended to force negotiations with MLB to gain a new contract, effective at the start of 2000.Chass Murray July 22, 1999 Baseball; Baseball Prepared to Accept Umps' Resignations The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/22/sports/baseball-baseball-prepared-to-accept-umps-resignations.html April 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20180619040109/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/22/sports/baseball-baseball-prepared-to-accept-umps-resignations.html June 19, 2018 Richie Phillips added that MLUA members stood to gain about $15 million of severance pay. The union intended to have the leagues negotiate in the future with a newly formed corporation, to be created after the mass resignation occurred.Armas Genaro C. Baseball sequel for '99: The umpire strikes back The Deseret News Associated Press July 15, 1999 D1–D2 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pwAqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kuwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2566,7202276 July 30, 2017 Out of the 68 MLB umpires, all but two (Derryl Cousins and John Shulock, who were barred from the MLUA after working as replacements during the 1979 umpires' strike) were members of the MLUA.Newhan Ross Umpires' Unanimity Dwindling Los Angeles Times July 20, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-20-sp-57855-story.html April 5, 2018Curry Jack Baseball; Two Umpires Still Aren't Allowed to Forget The New York Times December 23, 1994 https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/23/sports/baseball-two-umpires-still-aren-t-allowed-to-forget.html April 5, 2018 Thirty-four National League umpires sent letters of resignation through the MLUA, along with 23 umpires who worked in the American League.Alcaro, p. 342. Within a week, several of the umpires moved to rescind their earlier actions. One of them, Dave Phillips, said that "Most people in that room thought they (the resignation letters) were going to be signed but not sent." He said that the umpires thought they could rescind any time before September 2, which was not the case. In response, Richie Phillips called his views "nonsense". The union filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia on July 26, seeking to allow withdrawals. One day later, the MLUA's request for a temporary restraining order was turned down by Judge Edmund V. Ludwig. Later that day, the 42 umpires whose resignations were still active rescinded as a group.Chass Murray Baseball; The Umpires Change Their Call: They No Longer Want to Resign The New York Times July 28, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/28/sports/baseball-the-umpires-change-their-call-they-no-longer-want-to-resign.html February 1, 2010 The leagues hired a combined 25 replacements from the minor leagues and elected to rehire only enough umpires to reach their maximum allowed squad sizes, retaining their new hires. The American League brought back the 14 umpires whose rescissions were received by the league the fastest. A different approach was required for the National League, which received one batch of rescissions; it opted to use "performance standards" in deciding which umpires to rehire.Alcaro, p. 343. Overall, MLB accepted the resignations of 13 umpires from the National League and 9 from the American League.Chass Murray July 30, 1999 Baseball; Thirteen N.L. Umpires Eliminated The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/30/sports/baseball-thirteen-nl-umpires-eliminated.html April 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20180619040524/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/30/sports/baseball-thirteen-nl-umpires-eliminated.html June 19, 2018 On August 3, the union filed unfair labor practice charges against MLB with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).Chass Murray August 4, 1999 Baseball; Umpires File Charges Over Their Lost Jobs The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/04/sports/baseball-umpires-file-charges-over-their-lost-jobs.html April 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20180619040107/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/04/sports/baseball-umpires-file-charges-over-their-lost-jobs.html June 19, 2018 A week later, the MLUA dropped the suit it had filed in federal court in July.Baseball umpires drop lawsuit Milwaukee Journal Sentinel August 11, 1999 2 The president of the MLUA, Jerry Crawford, left the prospect of a strike open.Hill Thomas August 27, 1999 Umps Can't Make Call On Strategy New York Daily News http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/umps-call-strategy-article-1.851930 April 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20211021152537/https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/umps-call-strategy-article-1.851930 October 21, 2021 In response, the presidents of the two leagues threatened to fire any umpire who took part in a strike.Chass Murray August 28, 1999 Baseball; Umpires May Strike, So Both Sides Prepare The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/28/sports/baseball-umpires-may-strike-so-both-sides-prepare.html April 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20180619040227/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/28/sports/baseball-umpires-may-strike-so-both-sides-prepare.html June 19, 2018 On August 27, the MLUA requested arbitration from the American Arbitration Association, but both leagues turned it down. The MLUA then returned to U.S. District Court three days later, in hopes of obtaining an injunction against the leagues' acceptances of the resignations. Instead of the quick ruling the union was seeking, Judge J. Curtis Joyner desired negotiations between the sides, which he oversaw. On September 1, the parties agreed on a severance package, which confirmed the loss of the 22 umpires' jobs.September 2, 1999 Report: Umps, baseball reach deal, but 22 jobs lost https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=16373&type=news https://web.archive.org/web/20211031203614/https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=16373&type=news October 31, 2021 April 1, 2023 live ESPN The MLUA pledged not to strike in the agreement. MLUA division and decertification A group of remaining umpires was critical of the mass resignation and moved for the creation of a new union and decertification of the MLUA in October; the Major League Umpires Independent Organizing Committee, the name the group went by, primarily consisted of American League umpires.Blum Ronald Umps petition to decertify union The Daily News Associated Press October 13, 1999 7B https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JvUaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6kcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6670,2091630 July 30, 2017 The Organizing Committee's main motivation was to force out Richie Phillips.Chass Murray October 29, 1999 Baseball; Umpires to Vote on Representation by Mail The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/29/sports/baseball-umpires-to-vote-on-representation-by-mail.html April 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20170911080122/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/29/sports/baseball-umpires-to-vote-on-representation-by-mail.html September 11, 2017 Joe Brinkman and John Hirschbeck publicly supported the idea of a new union with different leadership; Brinkman said, "There's no room for Richie Phillips in this new organization."Chass Murray November 3, 1999 Baseball; Phillips's Tenure Is at Stake as Umpires Vote on the Fate of Their Union The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/03/sports/baseball-phillips-s-tenure-stake-umpires-vote-fate-their-union.html April 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20170915050752/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/03/sports/baseball-phillips-s-tenure-stake-umpires-vote-fate-their-union.html September 15, 2017 Phillips, along with his backers, criticized the umpires seeking his ouster, saying they were at fault for what happened in July. Ballots were sent to all umpires in early November, allowing the umpires to vote on whether they wanted the MLUA or a replacement union to represent them. Those whose resignations had been accepted were sent ballots in the decertification election, as were the new hires. On November 30, the NLRB tallied the votes and revealed that the Organizing Committee had garnered 57 votes, as opposed to 35 for the MLUA.Brown Tim December 1, 1999 Umpires Replace Phillips, His Union Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-01-sp-39263-story.html April 1, 2023 live https://web.archive.org/web/20121021104544/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/dec/01/sports/sp-39263 October 21, 2012 The MLUA appealed to the NLRB, but a hearing officer upheld the results on January 21.Chass Murray January 22, 2000 Baseball; Labor Board Decides Against Richie Phillips The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/22/sports/baseball-labor-board-decides-against-richie-phillips.html April 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20121021104544/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/dec/01/sports/sp-39263 October 21, 2012 One final appeal was issued by the MLUA, but a three-person NLRB panel rejected it in February,Chass Murray February 25, 2000 Baseball; Umpires Get New Union as Phillips Is Out The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/25/sports/baseball-umpires-get-new-union-as-phillips-is-out.html April 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230304204650/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/25/sports/baseball-umpires-get-new-union-as-phillips-is-out.html March 4, 2023 and certified the World Umpires Association (WUA) as the umpires' new union.New umpire union ratified Today's News-Herald February 25, 2000 18A https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vVlIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xE0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6483,6711793 June 16, 2011 Aftermath Although the MLUA was no longer representing active umpires, it still did so for the 22 who lost their jobs. In negotiations for a new labor agreement, which was signed in September 2000, the MLUA turned down an offer from MLB owners that would have seen 13 umpires brought back.Umpires OK new pact; 22 remain without job The Toledo Blade September 2, 2000 C8 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=64YUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9gMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6512,454977 July 30, 2017 An arbitrator ordered in December 2001 that nine of the twenty-two umpires be reinstated, and MLB reached an agreement to do so in February 2002; four of the umpires retired with back pay.February 28, 2002 Five umpires will return; back pay still pending https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=1343139&type=news https://web.archive.org/web/20170731075547/http://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=1343139&type=news July 31, 2017 April 1, 2023 live ESPN. Associated Press Three umpires were rehired by MLB in 2002, and Rich Garcia was given a supervisor position. In late 2004, a labor agreement between MLB and the MLUA gave jobs back to three more umpires, while the remaining six gained severance pay.December 24, 2004 Six more will split $2.3M in severance pay https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1953109 https://web.archive.org/web/20230208063717/https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1953109 February 8, 2023 April 1, 2023 live ESPN. Associated Press By that time, half of the terminated umpires were working again in MLB.Chass Murray December 28, 2004 Umpires Are Getting Chance to Make Up for a Bad Call The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/28/sports/baseball/28chass.html April 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20170731155833/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/28/sports/baseball/umpires-are-getting-chance-to-make-up-for-a-bad-call.html July 31, 2017 One side effect of the WUA's formation was the end of separate umpiring staffs for the American and National Leagues. Beginning with the 2000 season, every umpire would work in both leagues.Chass Murray April 3, 2000 Baseball; After Union Turmoil and Leagues' Merger, Choosing Umpire Crews Is a Balancing Act The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/03/sports/baseball-after-union-turmoil-leagues-merger-choosing-umpire-crews-balancing-act.html April 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230329200945/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/03/sports/baseball-after-union-turmoil-leagues-merger-choosing-umpire-crews-balancing-act.html March 29, 2023Upon further review: Arbitrator rules 9 of 22 fired umpires to get jobs back CNN Sports Illustrated. Associated Press May 12, 2001 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/news/2001/05/11/umpires_ap/ July 30, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20140606231855/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/news/2001/05/11/umpires_ap/ June 6, 2014 dead Below is a table summarizing what happened to the 22 umpires whose resignations (during the mass-resignation effort) were accepted by the two leagues. Umpire Year born Employer in 1999 Status Drew Coble 1947 AL Retired with back pay; never returned to major league umpiring Greg Kosc 1949 AL Retired with back pay; never returned to major league umpiring Frank Pulli 1935 NL Retired with back pay; never returned to major league umpiring, and died in 2013 Terry Tata 1940 NL Retired with back pay; never returned to major league umpiring Gary Darling 1957 NL Rehired in 2002; retired in 2014. Serves on the Board of Directors for umpires' charity organization. Bill Hohn 1955 NL Rehired in 2002; worked through end of 2010 season before retiring for health reasons Larry Poncino 1957 NL Rehired in 2002; retired in 2007 after injury, and died in 2024 Larry Vanover 1955 NL Rehired in 2002; became MLB oldest umpire in 2024; retired after 2024 season Joe West 1952 NL Rehired in 2002; became MLB all-time leader in games umpired in 2021; retired after 2021 season Bruce Dreckman 1970 NL Rehired in 2002 with no back pay Sam Holbrook 1965 NL Rehired in 2002 with no back pay; retired in 2022 Paul Nauert 1963 NL Rehired in 2002 with no back pay; retired in 2022 Rich Garcia 1942 AL Never returned as an umpire but worked as MLB umpire supervisor until he was fired in 2010 Bob Davidson 1952 NL Rehired in 2005; retired in 2016 Tom Hallion 1956 NL Rehired in 2005; retired in 2022 Ed Hickox 1962 AL Rehired in 2005; retired in 2023 Jim Evans 1946 AL Retired with severance; never returned to major league umpiring Dale Ford 1942 AL Retired with severance; never returned to major league umpiring Eric Gregg 1951 NL Retired with severance; never returned to major league umpiring, and died in 2006 Mark Johnson 1950 AL Retired with severance; never returned to major league umpiring, and died in 2016 Ken Kaiser 1945 AL Retired with severance; never returned to major league umpiring, and died in 2017Sandomir Richard Ken Kaiser, Colorful and Imposing Big League Umpire, Dies at 72 The New York Times August 11, 2017 https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/11/sports/baseball/ken-kaiser-dead-colorful-american-league-umpire.html August 21, 2017 Larry McCoy 1941 AL Retired with severance; never returned to major league umpiring References 30em Bibliography Alcaro Frederick When in Doubt, Get Locked Out!: A Comparison of the 2001 Lockout of the National Football League Referees' Association and the Failed 1999 Resignation Scheme of the Major League Baseball Umpires Association University of Pennsylvania Journal of Labor and Employment Law 5 2 2003 335–361 https://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1142&context=jbl Major League Umpires Association Mass Resignation, 1999 Category:Major League Baseball controversies Umpires Mass Resignation Category:Major League Baseball labor relations Category:Major League Baseball umpires MLB, 1999