Professional Referee Organization and Professional Soccer Referees Association Contract Talks

On Jan. 7, 2019, representatives from the Professional Referee Organization and the Professional Soccer Referees Association reached tentative agreement on a successor collective bargaining agreement under the auspices of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). Subject to the ratification of the membership, the new agreement will cover a five-year term with a new expiration date of January 15, 2024. This agreement followed five consecutive days of mediation at the FMCS offices in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

FMCS Acting Director Rich Giacolone commended the work of FMCS Deputy Director and National Representative Scot Beckenbaugh and FMCS Commissioner Bill Domini of the Northeast Region who provided valuable assistance throughout the mediation process. “We applaud the efforts of the negotiating teams in reaching this tentative agreement,” Giacolone said. “I am gratified that FMCS was able to aid in these negotiations and look forward to a positive conclusion.”

In accordance with FMCS practice and consistent with the requirements of mediator confidentiality, FMCS will have no further comment on the details of the agreement or the substance of the negotiations.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 10 district offices and more than 60 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.

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