The Major League Baseball Players Association strengthened its ties to the larger labor movement on Wednesday as it tries to unionize minor league players.
The affiliation was announced at a National Press Club Q&A in Washington by Tony Clark and Liz Shuler. Football and men's and women's soccer players will be represented on the sports council by the MLBPA.
More than half of the union authorization cards returned by minor league players were returned by the union on Tuesday. If more than 50% of players vote in an election to unionize, the National Labor Relations Board will recognize the union.
Clark said that they were going to navigate that chaos by bringing the minor leaguers under the umbrella. "We're going to work through it in a way that's going to be a further reminder to the strength and unity that the labor movement has always been committed to."
The MLBPA is encouraged by some of the dialogue it has had with MLB. The distribution of union authorization cards was the start of the formal unionization effort.
Clark said that the minor league players are the core of the industry. They need to have a voice at the table. It's important that they have a chance to speak about their concerns.
The focus on the treatment of minor league players has grown in recent years with players growing more outspoken about annual pay below the poverty line.
"As minimal as it is going to be, if at all, is going to be reflective of the interest of the players," said Clark when asked how players would pay dues.
The Major League Baseball Players Association has 1,200 players on its 40-man roster. The group could add more than 5,000 players by expanding its rank-and-file.
Clark said that it was not about selling it to them. There was a recognition of the challenges they have faced. The remedy is to organize.
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