MiLB umpires ratify new agreement

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Minor League Baseball announced today that the Professional Baseball Umpire Corp. (PBUC), one of its subsidiaries, has reached a five-year collective bargaining agreement with the Association of Minor League Umpires (AMLU). MiLB was notified by the AMLU that its members voted to approve the agreement. The previous agreement began on June 1, 2006, and was set to expire this Wednesday.

"We are glad to have reached an agreement that will ensure labor peace with our umpires through the 2016 season," stated Minor League Baseball executive vice president and COO Tim Purpura, who was involved in the contract talks. "The negotiations were conducted in a very professional manner this month.

"This agreement represents a commitment by our leagues and clubs to provide Minor League Baseball players and fans with professional umpires to officiate our games that were enjoyed by more than 41-million fans this season. It will allow us to manage the costs associated with our umpire program in an effective manner, and will help maintain our industry as an attractive form of affordable family entertainment.

"We commend the work of our negotiating committee which included International League president Randy Mobley, PBUC executive director Justin Klemm, and George Yund and Mekesha Montgomery from the law firm of Frost Brown Todd."