The National Football League Referee Association (NFLRA) is at odds with the league over salary, retirement benefits and other logistical issues.
The NFL is proposing to close the current DB plan and move to a 401(k). Although the move is common in the public sector, the union is balking at this move for its members.
Since most NFL referees have second jobs, the league has labeled the NFLRA position unrealistic.
The union’s argument is that NFL revenues have soared to $9 billion annually since the last agreement was reached in 2006.
The league also wants to add full-time refs to the payroll to improve the quality of the officiating. The union opposes that plan because it could cut into each ref’s piece of the salary pool and potentially threaten job security.
The NFL has said its offer includes annual pay increases that could earn an experienced official more than $200,000 annually by 2018.
The NFLRA has disputed the value of the proposal, insisting it means an overall reduction in compensation.