The MLB Players Association has announced they’ll be affiliating with the AFL-CIO in pursuit to unionize Minor League Baseball players.
The MLBPA has been around since 1953, and has been recognized as a union since 1966. Since that time, the MLBPA has never represented Minor League Baseball players.
A few weeks ago, talks were finally initiated and the MLBPA announced a plan to represent minor-league players. It will be a step-by-step process, but the ball is rolling.
BREAKING: More than 50 percent of minor leaguers have signed cards backing a union, MLBPA officials say. The Players Association has formally asked MLB for voluntary recognition, sending a letter to the commissioner’s office this morning: https://t.co/E80Lek54yd
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) September 6, 2022
How soon can an agreement be made to unionize minor-league baseball players with the MLBPA?
Furthermore, the next step is a full vote of all MiLB players. As long as the majority of the players approve, they will become members of the MLBPA. The announcement of the new affiliation was made by AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark before the National Press Club.
"“The MLBPA has a proud, 56-year history of success rooted in unity and a highly engaged membership,” Clark said. “We look forward to bringing that history and experience to bear as a more formal part of the movement.”"
In a letter sent to MLB, the MLBPA union asked the league to recognize that a majority of minor leaguers are seeking to unionize and formally accept MLBPA as their bargaining representative.
MLBPA seeks voluntary recognition from MLB to represent Minor Leaguers pic.twitter.com/ZiVWiiRjbV
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) September 6, 2022
This would allow for the potential unionization of over 5,000 Minor League players. As most of us are aware, minor-league baseball players have dealt with economic woes throughout the years. Many players do not make a livable wage. In fact, the average annual salary for a MiLB player is between $4,800 to $14,000. Compared to some MLB contracts, that is absolutely embarrassing.
With that being said, the fact that talks are being expedited after so long to unionize, MiLB players are making history. They’re standing up for themselves and what they believe in and hopefully everything falls into place very soon.