The MLS referees union votes against the tentative CBA, triggering the lockout days before the start of the season

The Professional Referee Organization (PRO) will block MLS arbitration, effective at 12 a.m. ET on February 18, the PRO announced on Saturday.

The news comes shortly after the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA), the labor union representing professional referees in North America and Canada, announced that its membership voted overwhelmingly to reject its leadership’s tentative agreement with the PRO for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) through a 95.8 percent “no” vote.

Inter Miami hosts The real Salt Lake on Wednesday to kick off the MLS season. Barring drastic changes over the next few days, that match will be officiated by substitute referees. There is a complete list of MLS this weekend’s games, the first of the 2024 season.

Athletics reported on January 22 that PRSA members voted unanimously to authorize a strike. Athletics also previously reported PSRA filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging that PRO engaged in “direct bargaining,” bypassing union leadership and communicating directly with PSRA members.

“We live for the game, giving it 100 percent of our dedication, experience, fitness and skill,” PRSA president and chief negotiator Peter Manikowski said in a statement Saturday. “The rapid growth of MLS has significantly increased the demands on officials mentally and physically, and as such has increased the demands on our professional and personal time.

“Our members are demanding not only fair compensation at a time when the league is reporting record growth, but also the ability to take care of themselves on the road and at home to continue practicing at the highest level this sport demands.”

The previous CBA between PSRA and PRO, the MLS-funded body that manages professional officials in the United States and Canada, expired on Jan. 15. The leadership for the two groups reached a tentative agreement last week, but PRSA members rejected it.

“Time has been of the essence to complete a fair deal and move forward together with renewed positivity ahead of our 12th year of supporting the growth of the professional game in the United States and Canada,” the manager said in a statement. general of the PRO, Mark Geiger. “The result of the membership vote is disappointing.”

In a statement following the news, MLS released a statement claiming the CBA “would have made PRO members among the highest paid soccer officials in the world.”

“It is extremely disappointing that officials have voted against the tentative agreement for a new CBA reached by the PSRA and PRO,” MLS executive vice president for sports product and competition Nelson Rodríguez said in a statement.

“The PRO worked for months and addressed all the issues that were raised by the PSRA negotiation unit. It is also unfortunate that the PSRA rejected the PRO’s offer of a mutual no-knock, no-lockout commitment which would have allowed all match officials to continue working during ongoing negotiations.

“The PRO has informed us of its contingency plan for the upcoming MLS season, which includes the use of experienced professional match referees supported by veteran VAR officials. We have confidence in the comprehensive plan they have put in place.”

The PRO announced that the overall salary increases for the first year included: 10-33 percent for referees, 75-104 percent for assistant referees and 15-100 percent for video match officials, as well as increases in match fees for both regular. season and playoff games. The deal also included first/business class air travel for the playoffs and MLS Cup throughout the deal.

PRSA said it is committed to returning to the negotiating table immediately. PRO said it remains committed to reaching an agreement with PRSA.

Required reading ahead of the 2024 MLS season

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