
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 3, 1991                   TAG: 9104030068
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PHILADELPHIA                                LENGTH: Medium

UMPIRES FILE CHARGE

Major league umpires filed an unfair labor practices charge against the American and National leagues Tuesday, claiming baseball plans to lock out umpires from opening day games unless a contract agreement is reached by then.

"I think that right now they seem to be intent on it," umpires union chief Richie Phillips said at his office.

Six days before the start of the regular season, Phillips called an agreement unlikely "if baseball maintains its present posture."

Phillips did not provide specifics on contract differences, but said the sides were "very, very far apart." He said issues included compensation, pensions and postseason selection procedures for umpires.

"On the other hand, we're still six days away, and six days in collective bargaining is like two lifetimes," Phillips said. "There's certainly enough time to conclude the negotiations."

Phillips' handwritten filing said the leagues "unilaterally changed the terms and conditions of employment" by withholding April pay from the 60 umpires.

"In addition, the employer, through this and other action, has failed to bargain in good faith in violation of the National Labor Relations Act," the Major League Umpires Association said in the two-sentence statement filed with the National Labor Relations Board.

At a news conference, Phillips also complained about the assignment of replacement umpires to games, the lack of assignments to regular umpires, and long delays in responses to contract issues raised by umpires. The NLRB filing only specifically cited the lack of pay for April.

Robert Kheel, the negotiator for the two leagues, said in New York that he was unaware of the unfair labor practices charge.

"I'm obviously distressed that the association is wasting its time posturing with legal positions rather than spending it constructively at the bargaining table, where our differences have to be resolved," Kheel said.

Kheel acknowledged the umpires had not received their April pay, saying that was because the leagues "were waiting to see what will happen."

Phillips said the regular umpires would continue working spring training games and that if umpires were locked out they would set up informational pickets at opening day games while not attempting to interfere with fans attending. He said about 200 replacement umpires had been lined up by baseball.

by CNB