The first thing we need to understand is the VALUE AND AUTHORITY OF OUR LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS. These associations are formed to enlist, train, encourage, set rates, pay officials, maintain IRS records, and take care of all local officiating business--and all that is really good! There are well defined associations in DFW, Houston, Austin, Waco, and San Antonio and less defined ones in College Station, Abilene, Tyler, and Lubbock but they are all still associations just the same.
The PROBLEM we now have arising in Texas is that there are those who are attempting to by-pass the local associations to get a cheaper rate or to provide fewer benefits for the officials. Any time we have an increase in rates there are those who take punitive actions against us for the rate increase. This issue has already arisen in San Antonio and is now raising its ugly head here in the Metroplex so its time to take a stand...
Personally, I believe the Texas Section should be sure that a tournament is supportive of the local association before they grant them a sanction for their tournament. This will require diligence on the part of the Texas Section office as well as our association leaders. We definitely need our Sectional Chairman to take an active role in this dispute...
I am not necessarily advocating an OFFICIALS UNION but I am saying that the local associations should be the ones who set rates and authorize officials to work in their area. That needs to be crystal clear and supported by tournaments and tournament directors in those areas.
This is fixing to be a CRITICAL ISSUE in Texas so be sure to send us your thoughts and comments.
8 comments:
Please no Union! If we have union dues, does that mean the rates have to go up again so the officials can pay their union dues. Would we have to walk a picket line for no pay if a tournament or match decides to use lower cost non-union officials. Would someone be responsible, and who, to get the clubs to sign on to using union only officials. Would we just start our own union,replace the assocaitions, or would we join the AFL-CIO? Please, if there are groups or individuals willing to work for less, then they get the work. We are only worth what the market will bear.
If a tournament director bypasses the local association for cheaper contract labor, then the association Referees should BAN those officials from working any future assocation staffed events.
It doesn't get any simpler than that!
How is this different from a certain self-professed ITA coordinator from College Station going out behind other coordinator's backs and trying to solicit college coaches to use HER as their coordinator and paying cheaper rates?
I know she is already on at least three coordinators "Black List." In my opinion, she should be banned by more coordinators from officiating their events, or at a minimum, a formal grievance should be filed against her.
Rumor has it that the Texas A&M Women's coach is against officials assigned to his non-conference matches from wearing the new ITA shirt since he has an aversion to green. If true, how can a coach stipulate what officials are/are not allowed to wear unless they pay for their clothing?
Definitely a NO vote on the need for an Officials Union.
However, for any event the official has an option to be available or not be available. If you don't like the pay package, don't work that one or go be available somewhere else where the pay package is better.
Observation: most officials will make the best pay event their 1st choice on availability.
Another Observation: i will speculate that the best paying events will get the best officials.
If the low-ball events always get crappy officials, (or no/few officials) then (1) that's what they deserve (2) if they eventually don't like that, then they will raise their rates at some point.
Our problem is not a union but with some coordinators who seem to always work for the benefit of the events in setting low-ball rates. Instead of working for obtaining a 'fair & reasonable' rate for the officials. We officials would notice an excessive rate at first glance. Something which can't be sustained for the long term, is not good for either party.
Something to remember; They don't have an event so you can be a tennis official. You get to officiate because there happens to be an event....
I lean toward letting the low-ballers reap what they sow but I also think we need a definitive voice coming out of the Section office and from the Sectional Chairman. I do however think the local associations should have the final say in their area.
The next few weeks should prove very interesting... I'll do my best to keep you updated.
Very interesting comments pertaining to my favorite official from College Station. I would put my life on the line and say she is the one who convinced the A&M Women's coach not to use the green shirt. From what I can tell, you boys left her out of the decision process and I know she gets bent way out of shape when she's not the one in control. I'm hearing rumblings up here that she is having a hard time finding qualified ITA officials to work the regional tournament at A&M this weekend. Is it because she didn't get off her butt to find officials, or is it that officials are beginning to wise up and not work for her any more. It could be a combination of both and probably is.
Ta Ta For Now!
Eeyore, once again you are spot on!
Post a Comment