MLB requests federal mediator in lockout negotiations; player calls it ‘a publicity stunt’
negotiations with the players union are close to reaching a stalemate, formally requested immediate assistance of a federal mediator Thursday to help resolve their differences towards reaching an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement.
The Major League Baseball Players Association, which was directly informed of the request by MLB officials Thursday afternoon, declined to publicly comment or reveal whether they would accept MLB’s offer. Federal mediation cannot enforce a settlement.
The union is unlikely to accept the request, at least at this juncture, with one veteran player, with direct knowledge of the talks telling USA TODAY Sports, “It’s nothing more than a publicity stunt.’’
The player spoke on the condition of anonymity since he was not authorized to speak publicly by union officials or the executive board.
MLB, in hopes of accelerating the talks, or at least getting a neutral party’s input, believe the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service would provide valuable assistance in reaching a compromise.
One MLB executive with direct knowledge of the negotiations said the league views mediation as the most productive path forward and that a third party would be beneficial for everyone.
The two sides have had only four negotiating sessions since Dec. 1, last meeting on Tuesday.
The painfully slow movement in talks makes the start of spring training on Feb. 16 highly unlikely, and potentially jeopardizing the scheduled March 31 start of the regular season.
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The two sides used a federal mediator during the 1994-95 strike when the owners were prepared to declare an impasse, but it wound up having no impact with the 1994 World Series being canceled.