The negotiations between the Professional Soccer Referees (PSRA) and the Professional Referees Organization (PRO) have taken a contentious turn, with PRO filing an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge against PSRA. The charge alleges that a PSRA executive board member unlawfully coerced potential replacement workers by threatening their eligibility for college soccer officiating assignments during a lockout.
PRO initiated the lockout after PSRA rejected a tentative collective bargaining agreement, marking the second lockout in the past decade. PSRA is advocating for increased compensation and improved travel accommodations. The MLS season commenced with replacement referees officiating games, sourced from professional, college, and youth ranks.
