NFLRA & NFL close to deal, refs could be on field as early as this weekend

[phinatic1399]

The NFL and the NFL Referees Association made enough progress in negotiations Tuesday night that the possibility of the locked-out officials returning in time to work this week's games has been discussed, according to sources on both sides.
An agreement in principle is at hand, according to one source familiar to talks, although NFL owners have postured with a "no more compromise" stance.
Although league sources said it would take a week to get the locked-out officials on the field, the NFLRA says its 121 referees have been trained on the new rules implemented last season, have already passed physicals or are prepared to pass physicals immediately. New official game uniforms designed by Nike are "hardly an obstacle," according to a source.
Both sides have made concessions on previous sticking points such as a taxi squad of 21 new officials and pension plans that sources say the final meaningful hurdle is, as one source said, "about a little more money."

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8427652/locked-nfl-referees-return-early-week-sources


http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8427652/locked-nfl-referees-return-early-week-sources

ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting that an agreement between the NFL and NFLRA is at hand.

With a deal in principle reached Wednesday morning, the regular officials could be back as soon as this week. All it took was one of the worst calls in league history in front of a national audience on Monday Night Football. The issue will hopefully be put to bed now.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8427652/locked-nfl-referees-return-early-week-sources

rotoworld.com

 

[Roman529]

I heard the ref's demands only would cost the NFL $3 million/year. That is such a small amount in a $9 billion business. I am sure Jerry Jones and the other big wig's could call their local bank and have them cut a check for this amount in five minutes flat. I think the refs want a guaranteed pension, and not just a 401K. Maybe just make the refs full-time year round employees. I think they make $150,000 as part-timers....that is great money for working just 16 to 20 games a year. I miss Ed Hochuli showing off his guns.

 

[phinatic1399]

I heard the ref's demands only would cost the NFL $3 million. That is such a small amount in a $9 billion business.

I know such a joke, the NFL grosses close to $10 billion and that number is growing but they cant afford pensions?

 

[NY8123]

Ahhh but the right call was made in the Packers/Hawks game.........sure, I'll believe ya when me **** turns purple and smells like rainbow sherbet.

 

[Anvil35]

F&%$ unions!! They are the reason we are in the economic situation this country finds itself...

 

[JCane]

I know such a joke, the NFL grosses close to $10 billion and that number is growing but they cant afford pensions?

The refs asking for a pension is a flat-out JOKE. What kind of successful business do you know just pisses away money?

These refs work PART-TIME and want a pension. A pension that THEY DON'T HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE TO.

Name a company that offers that for even FULL-TIME employee.

Yeah...I'll wait.

 

[flynryan15]

Every game is literally clown college! The scabs can barely tie their own shoes.

 

[phinatic1399]

F&%$ unions!! They are the reason we are in the economic situation this country finds itself...

that has nothing to do with this, some companies cant afford pensions anymore we all know that but a $10 billion a year empire definitely can, it's pennies.

 

[JCane]

that has nothing to do with this, some companies cant afford pensions anymore we all know that but a $10 billion a year empire definitely can, it's pennies.

Pennies lol. Please.

This pension demand is straight robbery. I can't believe it. NFL should Hollywood Hogan these clowns and tell them to, "STICK IT, BROTHER!"

 

[Hayden Fox]

I think the replacement refs helped the Fins actually. lol.

 

[flynryan15]

The refs asking for a pension is a flat-out JOKE. What kind of successful business do you know just pisses away money?

These refs work PART-TIME and want a pension. A pension that THEY DON'T HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE TO.

Name a company that offers that for even FULL-TIME employee.

Yeah...I'll wait.

Delta Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines(for now) all offer several defined pension plans, and I'm sure you would consider our schedule part time because I average 15.5 days off in a normal month and in a vacation week run into a month off.

 

[JCane]

NFL should look into creating a school for officials. Baseball has a school for umpire. Rigorous courses. Vision tests ever so often, etc.

NFL could benefit greatly from this.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp

---------- Post added at 12:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:54 PM ----------

Delta Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines(for now) all offer several defined pension plans, and I'm sure you would consider our schedule part time because I average 15.5 days off in a normal month and in a vacation week run into a month off.

Do you have to contribute to this pension plan?

 

[flynryan15]

NFL should look into creating a school for officials. Baseball has a school for umpire. Rigorous courses. Vision tests ever so often, etc.

NFL could benefit greatly from this.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/how_to_become.jsp

---------- Post added at 12:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:54 PM ----------



Do you have to contribute to this pension plan?

Every plan is different at every airline, they are specific to the cba, and labor group. The company contributes and you can match at my airline that is for both 401k and defined pension plan.

 

[Fins1971]

I think the replacement refs helped the Fins actually. lol.

Yep, that is my take also. Several calls in Jet game went our way.
Eventually the odds will turn and we'll get a bad call against us though.

 

[flynryan15]

Look at that link you provided and the pipeline to become a mlb umpire you make it through that you should be compensated handsomely! Same with the NFL the scabs have proven not every one can be a NFL ref! I had a retired NFL ref working as a replay official on my plane the last week of the preseason. He came up to chat during a delay, I noticed some sort of championship ring on him so I ask. It was from officiating the Pats, Rams Superbowl. Guess my look said it all because he quickly pointed out the replay refs are under a separate contact. So I picked his brain, trust me it isn't part time work and these guys make huge sacrifices to become a NFL ref!

The problem is the new generation of management that is driven by their bonuses have a mentality to fight their employee groups and paint them as villains in the process