WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Two prominent legislators representing Connecticut at the national level have introduced legislation to strengthen labor protections for Minor League Baseball players.
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) have brought forward the “Fair Ball Act.”
The legislation would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to make sure Minor League Baseball players are paid minimum wage and receive overtime protections, unless they are previously protected under a collective bargaining agreement.
The bill aims to repeal provisions of the 2018 “Save America’s Pastime Act,” which allowed teams not to adhere to federal minimum wage and overtime requirements. The legislation encouraged Major League Baseball, or MLB, to uphold collective bargaining agreements and ensure that the exemptions can’t be used as leverage in future negotiations.
“Connecticut fans know how much minor league teams like the Hartford Yard Goats mean to our communities,” Murphy said in a release. “But for years, the athletes who work hard to make it all possible have been left behind by outdated and unfair labor laws.”
Murphy said the “Fair Ball Act” is about righting wrongs and making sure minor leaguers are paid fairly and protected as they deserve to be.
Blumenthal added that Minor League Baseball players deserve to be paid fairly because their determination, diligence and discipline drive millions of dollars in revenue for MLB owners.
“Unfortunately, MLB has worked vigorously to lobby for loopholes to avoid paying minimum wage,” Blumenthal said. “I’m proud to support the Fair Ball Act, which will shore up protections for Minor League Baseball players, ensuring they receive fair compensation and that they’re able to continue fighting for increased wages and benefits.”
The MLB lobbied successfully in 2018 for legislation to shied itself from a class-action lawsuit that alleged the league, and its teams, were in violation of federal and state wage and hour laws.
The MLB argued that 2018 legislation would protect minor league teams from being contracted “only to contract dozens of Minor League Baseball teams just two years later,” the release said.
If passed, the “Fair Ball Act” is designed to help minor leaguers and protect the gains they have made to earn a living wage following their historic unionization under the Major League Baseball Players Association in 2022 and the collective bargaining agreement with the MLB that followed.
Also co-sponsoring the legislation are U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.).
The legislation is endorsed by the MLB Players Association, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations and the National Employment Law Project.
One can view the text of the legislation here.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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