Lawsuit over wages can go on
Six years after a group of minor leaguers sued Major League Baseball over alleged violations of federal minimum wage laws, the suit can proceed.
For years, the legal battle has focused on whether the suit should be limited to the approximately four dozen players listed as plaintiffs, or whether it could be expanded on behalf of all minor leaguers. The U. S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year that all minor leaguers who had played in California, Arizona and Florida were eligible to sue.
On Monday, the Supreme Court without comment denied MLB’s request to reconsider that ruling.
If the minor leaguers win, the denial means that MLB and its teams could be liable for back wages to thousands rather than dozens of players.
Every team holds spring training in Arizona or Florida, but teams generally do not pay player salaries until the start of the regular season.
“We’re saying they should be complying with the same laws that Walmart and McDonald’s comply with,” said Garrett Broshuis, an attorney representing the players. “There’s no reason Major League Baseball can’t f igure out a way to do that.”
In 2018, four years after the suit was filed — and after lobbying from MLB — Congress passed a law that guaranteed the federal minimum wage to minor league players. However, the law exempted teams from having to pay overtime, no matter how many hours a player might work. The suit seeks retroactive compensation for alleged violations of minimum wage and overtime laws.
In a statement, MLB declined to comment on the litigation but said it already had committed to minor league salary increases ranging from 38% to 72% for the 2021 season. MLB is expected to eliminate about 40 minor league teams next season, and with them about 1,000 player jobs. The league is negotiating a new agreement with minor league owners.
— Bill Shaikin
Etc.
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins had surgery to repair a ligament tear in his left elbow and is expected to return in four to six months. ... Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said his expectation is the “status quo” when it comes to the team’s leadership and he anticipates remaining on the job for at least one more season. ... Milwaukee Brewers general manager David Stearns said the team might trim payroll in 2021 because of f inancial hardships brought on by the COVID- 19 pandemic. ... Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman was voted player of the year by Baseball Digest, and Cleveland’s Shane Bieber was a unanimous pick as pitcher of the year. ... Angel Hernandez, who has sued MLB alleging racial discrimination, will umpire the National League Division Series between the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. Hernandez sued in July 2017, claiming he hadn’t been assigned to the World Series since 2005 and hadn’t been promoted to lead a crew.