Well that was fast! Last Monday, the Major League Baseball Players Association organized an effort to unionize minor league baseball players. And one week later, they already have majority support. Now, the union kicks it over to MLB with a request for “voluntary recognition,” which is actually a formal part of the unionization process.
If the league doesn’t recognize the union, however, the game isn’t over. The National Labor Relations Board can hold an election (asking yes or no to the union), and if the motion For carries the day, the league will be required to bargain with the union representative, in this case the MLBPA. That’s why news of greater than 50% support is crucial. Sure, votes can change, but it’s pretty likely that this thing is happening.
With that said, there is no timeline for the league to respond. And forcing a vote, unfortunately, is the more common way this plays out.
“It doesn’t surprise me that as many guys have signed, especially talking to the people that I’ve talked to,” said Trevor Hildenberger, a 31-year-old who has pitched 134 games in the major leagues and is in the San Francisco Giants’ system as a minor leaguer via The Athletic. “‘Elated’ is a good word. But I’m not surprised.”
“I have full confidence in the fact that this is an inevitable reality, that the minor leaguers are going to be in the union, and we’re going to collectively bargain with MLB for better working conditions. I have no doubt in my mind that we’re going to reach our goal.”
You can read many more details on how the union, itself, would work from Evan Drellich here at The Athletic. But the one thing you’re wondering is answered, so I’ll share it here: If the Minor Leaguers do form a union, the contract they bargain with MLB would be separate from the one the major leaguers have (the CBA that was just negotiated over the winter). They’ll both be unionized under the same umbrella, and I’m sure that lends itself some advantages, but these will be separately negotiated contracts.