The Professional Referee Organization (PRO) and Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) have a new collective bargaining agreement that will bring the referees back to the field this week across Major League Soccer.
A tentative agreement between the sides was reached last week and the voting ratified the deal Monday.
“We look forward to welcoming our senior match officials back this upcoming match round. It has been a difficult time for everyone as we worked to reach an agreement,” PRO’s general manager Mark Geiger said in a statement. “This seven-year term provides enhanced pay and benefits for all officials and the stability that will support the growth of the professional game in the United States and Canada.
“On behalf of PRO, I would like to thank the PSRA negotiating team and the federal mediator for their commitment to finding a mutually agreeable conclusion to these negotiations and their hard work in finalizing the terms.
“We now move forward together with renewed positivity as PRO continues to lead the way in developing world-class match officials.”
Replacement referees had been in use by MLS so far this season. Lately, the outcry from coaches and players had been rising due to the quality.
This new deal is the longest in MLS history.
In a statement, the PSRA said it “won much-needed improvements” in negotiating.
“We thank the hundreds of officials in the U.S. and Canada who stood in solidarity with us showing their strength and professionalism. Standing strong with each other, we have been buoyed by the support of players, fans, supporters clubs and other unionized workgroups during our employer-imposed lockout.
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“Together, we have won much-needed improvements while demonstrating the value of having the best referees in Major League Soccer on the pitch.”
According to ESPN, 93 of 97 eligible voters participated, voting yes for an approval rating of 77.4%.
The previous CBA expired Jan. 15. One week later, the PSRA authorized a potential strike. A month later, a tentative agreement was reached, but the union membership voted no. That led PRO to lock out the PSRA referees, leading toward replacement referees being in charge for the first weeks of the MLS season.
