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After CBA expires, MLB owners initiate lockout

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© Jayne Kamin-Oncea | 2021 Sep 20

For the first time since 1994-95, MLB is experiencing a work stoppage.

The MLB Players Association and the league’s owners failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement before the previous CBA’s expiration. In reaction, the owners unanimously voted to implement a lockout — a maneuver that prevents employees from working.

A lockout signals a freeze in the baseball industry. There can be no trades, free agent signings or communications between coaches and players. There’s no legal requirement for a lockout. It’s a negotiating tool designed to speed up the process and perhaps gain leverage.

Before this shutdown, MLB’s 26 years of labor peace was the longest active streak in major professional U.S. sports. This is the ninth work stoppage in MLB history and the fourth lockout.

Shortly after the lockout was initiated, the Players Association released this statement:

Around the same time, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred published a letter nominally addressed to fans.

In part, Manfred’s letter read:  

“Simply put, we believe that an offseason lockout is the best mechanism to protect the 2022 season. We hope that the lockout will jumpstart the negotiations and get us to an agreement that will allow the season to start on time. This defensive lockout was necessary because the Players Association’s vision for Major League Baseball would threaten the ability of most teams to be competitive. It’s simply not a viable option. From the beginning, the MLBPA has been unwilling to move from their starting position, compromise, or collaborate on solutions.”

MLBPA executive director Tony Clark also issued a statement, reiterating the union’s commitment to bargaining for deal that “enhances competition, improves the product for our fans, and advances the rights and benefits of our membership.”

A lockout does not necessarily mean that spring training or the 2022 regular season will be impacted. Despite the two sides reportedly being far apart on key issues, that still appears unlikely.

But now, seemingly all parties can agree this will be a difficult winter for the sport.