B-Ball Officials "Walk Out" Having an Impact

[TXMike]

I don't see it as being "for the money."  I see it as a reaction to being misled and lied to.  If they had been promised a league rule that required they be provided a locker room and then the bosses voted it down, they would be just as justified to take their ball and go home.

[Welpe]

There is a difference between not doing it for the money and being fairly compensated for services redered.

[Rulesman]

There is a difference between not doing it for the money and being fairly compensated for services redered.

You are comparing apples and oranges.

[Welpe]

You are comparing apples and oranges.

How? 

I'm not comparing anything. All I am saying is that I don't think it is unreasonable to want to be fairly compensated, especially when they haven't been for so long. I think it is pretty clear that even our better compensated brethren in high school are not making enough to be doing this "for the money". I'd make a lot more working as a Consultant than I would officiating in my free time. I officiate because I enjoy it but that doesn't mean I should just accept being poorly compensated for a service I provide (and one that is not a volunteer effort either).

[GAHSUMPIRE]

When you say "there is a difference between..." that implies comparing 2 things.

No one is arguing that officials deserve to be fairly compensated. I agree with their cause, just not the tactics they are using to achieve it.

Promises or not, they began the season under those terms, and based on what I have heard, if recent history is any guide, there was more than a slight possibility that no raise would be forthcoming. If they were not willing to complete the entire season under the those terms, they should not have started it.

"Perception is reality", as the saying goes. Taking the stand that they did opens them up to the perception that it is "all about the money". Frankly, there is nothing wrong with that. I love officiating, but I would not do it for free. There is value in what we do. But walking out on a commitment in the middle, in my opinion, does more harm than good. We already wear the black hats- literally and figuratively- in the view of many people. this action doesn't do a lot to change that perception.

[Rulesman]

Welpe, GAHSUMPIRE could not have said it better.

[Cooter]

Hogwash.
Do you see any coaches/administrators/politicians volunteering to accept a pay cut?  Raise the price of concessions by a dime & the problem takes care of itself.

If current budget cuts to Texas educational funding go thru - Texas could lose 100,000 teachers next year - I can assure you extracurricular activities, like those we officiate, will be cut drastically too.  If you are in officiating for the money - it might be a good time to get out.  If it were as easy as raising the prices on corn dogs, it would have already been done. 

[TXMike]

There is no way a guy who is running for Pres in a little over a year will let that happen.  The horror stories designed to frighten folks into doing or not doing certain things are just that...stories

[Cooter]

There is no way a guy who is running for Pres in a little over a year will let that happen.  The horror stories designed to frighten folks into doing or not doing certain things are just that...stories

I hope you are right Mike - but I think the new Congress has different ideas on how money will be spent - These are interesting times...

[Etref]

We could cut out UIL that should save some money!               

[bama_stripes]

If current budget cuts to Texas educational funding go thru - Texas could lose 100,000 teachers next year - I can assure you extracurricular activities, like those we officiate, will be cut drastically too.  If you are in officiating for the money - it might be a good time to get out.  If it were as easy as raising the prices on corn dogs, it would have already been done. 

Since the OP was about Louisiana:

"A recent state audit concluded that LHSAA Commissioner Tommy Henry may have fraudulently spent thousands of dollars of association money, including as much as $50,000 on cigars. Henry served as LHSAA commissioner from 1983 until he retired in 2007."

http://www.2theadvocate.com/blogs/politicsblog/109058179.html

[Cooter]

Since the OP was about Louisiana:

"A recent state audit concluded that LHSAA Commissioner Tommy Henry may have fraudulently spent thousands of dollars of association money, including as much as $50,000 on cigars. Henry served as LHSAA commissioner from 1983 until he retired in 2007."

http://www.2theadvocate.com/blogs/politicsblog/109058179.html

Agree - and apologies for bringing Texas into the conversation.  My point was that many states are cutting back in educational spending - since I have family members as teachers in Texas I was a little more familiar with it here.  I believe that next year, nationwide, we as officials will work fewer games as more discticts will "self officiate" lower classifications.  It's a bad time for any officiating chapter to strike for more money.  In Louisiana - where I have lived the majority of my life - officials as not paid well - I don't see how they come close to breaking even - Glad that LHSAA is back at the bargaining table.  Have a great day.