RHST: The Union Battles the Cerberus!

12 days to LABOR ARMAGEDDON!!!

The message coming from the Player's Union is simple. If no deal is completed by midnight on March 24th, there will likely be a strike. With First Kick schedule for March 25th in Seattle, the timing makes sense...yes I know how obvious that comment was, just roll with it. It's a scary time for MLS fans but there is still time for Thelma and Louise (you can decided which group is which character) to steer the metaphorical car away from the cliff it's about to drive off. There is nothing we can really do but wait and hope our deposits for buses, plane tickets and our vacation days from work aren't wasted come next week. Despite all that, this must happen. The player must stand firm and not bow down to the Cerberus at league headquarters (listen to Episode 65 of Winning Ugly for an explanation).

Yesterday the Union took step one, with a vote that authorized the ability to strike. Should the players decide this is the route they wish to walk, there will be another vote actually authorizing the strike. Nothing to now but wait and see what happens.

The importance of yesterday's vote is the public showing of unity by the player's union. It sends a clear message to MLS that the union is willing to strike over the leagues unwillingness to budge on the issue for free agency. The players have been left with no other options and by refusing to begin the season they hit the league and the owners where it hurts the most, in the wallet. Empty stadiums after March 25th equals no revenue for MLS. No matches on TV means no revenue for MLS. In addition, fans are already getting restless and that will quickly escalate to anger and then apathy. It's next to impossible to predict just how a work stoppage will affect MLS, but it's reasonable to assume that it won't be good. Despite all that, this must happen.

I'm pro-union. I have been from the start and I will be when all this ends. Many will blame the players if they choose to strike, complain that unions are stupid and evil, in other words spew useless verbal diarrhea all over the place. This process is part of American sports, we've seen this play out in throwball, baseball, basketball and hockey. This has to happen and the reasons behind it are legitimate. The union must force the league to realize that their policy of ignoring or treating the union like an annoying child must end. Standing united and striking is how you send that message and while I don't want to see the season delayed, if that is what must occur for players to receive the rights they deserve, so be it.

Stand united and stand firm my homies. Do what must be done.