95% of the arbitrators rejected the ANFP’s economic proposal and assured that they will go on strike. In Quilín they are in trouble taking into account the complex scenario they face in monetary terms, whose expenses would skyrocket if they accepted the union’s request.
The National Professional Football Association (ANFP) adds a new headache in the midst of negotiations with the Union of Professional Referees of Chile. The judges resoundingly rejected the proposal. salary adjustment of the governing body of national football, which puts the end of the National Championship at risk due to a possible paralysis.
“95% of the members of the Professional Referees Union of Chile have approved the legal strike, demanding that the payment of the legal minimum wage be respected, the full payment of travel expenses for arbitration and an increase in salaries to avoid their strong depreciation,” the union stated.
After the vote of the Chilean soccer judges, the union established a within five days for the ANFP to modify and improve its proposal with the mediation of the Labor Directorate. If this does not happen, the referees could paralyze their activities.
For its part, the governing body of national football regretted that decision and stated that “The proposal that was rejected not only reflects a large part of the concerns expressed in various meetings with the union, but also constitutes the maximum possible effort made by this association.”
Through a statement, the Union of Professional Arbitrators of Chile maintained that they demand the payment of the legal minimum salary for Non-Professional judges and that they be paid in full for travel expenses to arbitrate, in addition to a salary increase to avoid their strong depreciation.
The release of the Chilean Referees Union and its demands
Regarding the vote in which 95% approved starting a strike, they stated that this “reflects the most categorical rejection of the arbitrators to the company’s proposal, that does not consider the professionalism, commitment and basic economic needs of the arbitrators, which have not been heard in this collective bargaining process.”
In this context, they called on the ANFP to “take note of this message from the referees and that he mandates his negotiating commission to listen to the voice of the arbitrators expressed in our Union and take into account the draft collective contract prepared by them so that we can conclude with a contract that is at the level of the most popular sport in Chile, soccer.”
According to La Tercera, the ANFP considered that the demands are “excessive”, considering that one of the points requested by the referees is related to the strong increase in the base income of Non-Professional judges, which would go from $95 thousand to $500 thousand (minimum salary). This would exponentially increase spending in this area, since most referees work in another capacity during the week to receive income.
“Although it is impossible to reach the range they request, especially considering the scenario in youth football,” the ANFP explained to the aforementioned media.
In general figures, the current collective contract for referees is five billion annually over two years. If the referral request is accepted, said cost would increase by $3.5 billion per year.