Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 14, 1994 TAG: 9408170020
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Boston Globe
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
If there was any thought of a quick end to the major-league baseball strike, it flickered and died here Saturday. After talking with federal mediators for the first time, major-league players and owners are no closer to a settlement now than they were 20 months ago.
With four representatives of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service as an audience, both sides repeated for about an hour their vastly different philosophies that created the game's eighth work stoppage. Afterward, management negotiator Richard Ravitch emerged and reported no progress. Two hours later, union boss Donald Fehr said fans should gear up for a long dispute because players will not accept a salary cap.
No further meetings have been scheduled.
``It appears things have settled in for a while,'' said Fehr, who said the negotiations had all the earmarks of the 1981 strike that lasted 50 days. ``But that's what the clubs wanted. I can't predict what will happen. Maybe [the mediators] will suggest something that will eventually make a difference.
``We are not interested in any sympathy from anybody. Nobody deserves it. It doesn't look like anything will happen for the short term. All the players can do is wait. So we'll wait.''
Ravitch said he offered to help the mediators in any way he could, although history says it might not do any good. In 1981, the sides used the services of mediator Kenneth Moffett, whose presence could not cut short the strike.
``I think it's important to note that mediation can be very, very important in resolving a dispute,'' Ravitch said. ``It's not an automatic panacea, but it can be very helpful. I hope this mediation process is inclusive. But I want to remind everyone that while this process goes on, the issue is unchanged.''
After meeting with the mediators, the sides emerged and defended their positions. The attacks were equally vicious on owners and players. History suggests it will get worse.
Ravitch repeated a familiar theme.
``There are 800 baseball players whose average income is $1.2 million who went out on strike, thus depriving millions of fans the opportunity to watch baseball,'' he said. ``Over 30,000 people have lost their jobs. The union has not told us how much more money they wanted and that's the issue.''
When informed of Ravitch's remarks, which he heard over and over again Friday, Fehr lashed out in a predictable manner.
``Dick is stuck with a public posture that doesn't make a lot of sense,'' said Fehr. ``So he repeats [public relations] phrases. He sits in and says that. But any time that you have a group of employers that insist that a union negotiate wages rather than have everybody go out and get what they can, which we call free agency, there is something funny going on.
``The players are asking, `Why do we have to do this again?''' said Fehr, who says the game plan now calls for daily reports to player representatives.
The inclusion of mediators has moved the dispute to a new level, although the rules restrict what they can accomplish. Their job is to encourage both sides to find a common ground and areas of agreement on which they can build. Ravitch denied he was scheduled to meet this week in Washington with Labor Secretary Robert Reich.
One of the mediators on hand Saturday was said to have direct ties with the Department of Labor. It is no secret politicians from President Clinton on down are eager to jump into the dispute, perhaps in even greater numbers than in 1981.
``They were there working with us earlier in 1981 and were helpful in arranging meetings, etc.,'' Fehr said. ``But I don't think on the central issues that the result would have been that much different. The objective they have is to try to help the parties make a decision. They can't force anybody.''
Said Ravitch, ``I don't think the secretary of labor has any intention of trying to function as a mediator. Again, I don't want to create any unreal expectations. Today's meeting was to get [the mediators] familiar with the issues.''
by CNB