Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 8, 1995 TAG: 9502080068
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
``We're going to send it up tomorrow and I'd like to have it considered expeditiously,'' Clinton said at a hastily called news conference after participating in hours of behind-closed-door negotiations at the White House.
Clinton said he had been optimistic earlier in the evening that he might be able to announce a settlement, or at least steps toward one, that would assure ``that baseball was coming back in 1995.''
``Unfortunately, the parties have not reached agreement; the American people are the real losers,'' he said. ``Clearly they are not capable of settling this strike without an umpire. The only way to do this appears to be for Congress to step up to the plate and pass the legislation.''
Earlier Tuesday, Republican leaders on Capitol Hill discouraged Clinton from turning to Congress for a solution. And after hearing the president's plan, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole and House Speaker Newt Gingrich said they were still reluctant to step into the problem. Both Republicans said they wanted to hear personally from mediator W.J. Usery why the talks broke down.
``I know that people in Congress say they have other pressing business, and they certainly do,'' Clinton said. ``I regret very much having to send this legislation there, but spring training is just nine days away and I think many Americans consider this pressing.''
Usery met separately with owners and players during the day in one last attempt at a settlement. But that backfired and players said they felt ``betrayed'' by Usery's recommendation for a luxury tax plan, two sources close to the union said.
Owners plan to start spring training with replacement players, a move the Clinton administration opposes. Players vow never to accept a salary cap or any other financial system they believe will limit salaries.
``I think both sides have to share the blame,'' Clinton said.
There has been virtually no movement since the strike began Aug. 12. Players, trying to preserve decades of gains that have pushed their average salary to nearly $1.2 million, walked out to fight off owners' demand for a cap on each team's salary.
Clinton directed the sides to resume bargaining last week and set a Monday deadline for progress. Players and owners ignored the president's call and did not even speak to each other in the two days leading up to the deadline.
Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and several aides met with Usery for 35 minutes in the Oval Office on Tuesday to hear an outline of the mediator's plan before ordering the owners and players to the White House.
When the negotiators' arrived, it was clear how far apart they were. Even though the sides were sitting together in the Cabinet room, they still wouldn't speak to each other.
Details of Usery's plan were not released, but the AP learned that Usery proposed a special payroll assessment that would kick in at just under the average payroll, which was $40.7 million in 1994 including health and pension benefits.
To discourage high salaries, teams would be assessed for every dollar above that level, according to a source who spoke on the condition he not be identified. The assessment would begin the first year at 25 percent on each dollar over the average and rise to 50 percent when the plan reaches full effect.
by CNB