The Human Face of Labor: Donald Fehr and the Union's Fight for Fairness

Strategic Insights -

In a time when tensions between management and players are escalating, Donald Fehr remains committed to putting a human face on the issues and fighting for fairness for the over 1,100 union members under his leadership. As the head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, Fehr knows that the stakes are high, with players generating immense revenue but lacking protection under antitrust laws and facing extremely short careers.

Fehr's dedication to his constituency is rooted in his passion for labor rights and his identification with those outside the controlling elite. Having built a reputation as a labor lawyer and union leader, Fehr has navigated the complex world of baseball with a unique blend of humor and conviction. Despite his no-nonsense image, Fehr is a sentimentalist who believes in the game's power to bring people together, but also acknowledges the need for players to be compensated fairly.

Key Takeaways:

  • Fehr's leadership has secured significant victories for the players, including a $280 million damages award for collusion and the creation of a $60 million-a-year licensing industry.
  • Despite criticism from some owners, Fehr remains committed to advocating for players' rights and has built a reputation as a honest and decent union leader.
  • Fehr's identification with the underprivileged and his commitment to labor rights is rooted in his background and upbringing in Kansas City, where he was shaped by the activism of the 1960s.
  • Fehr's success as a union leader has drawn praise from his peers, including Charles Grantham, head of the N.B.A. players' association, and Richard Ravitch, the owners' chief negotiator.
  • Fehr's reputation as a tough negotiator is matched by his willingness to listen and compromise, with some staff members suggesting that his scowl is a sign of impending change.

Statistics:

  • Player salary totals have increased from about $240 million 10 years ago to over $1 billion last year.
  • The players' licensing business has grown from a negligible industry to a $60 million-a-year industry under Fehr's leadership.
  • The Major League Baseball Players Association has over 1,100 members under Fehr's leadership.
  • Fehr has been instrumental in securing a $280 million damages award for collusion, a significant victory for the players.

Sources:

  • Fehr, D. (Interview at the Manhattan office, Tuesday) - reported that the stakes are high for players, given their lack of protection under antitrust laws and short careers.
  • Ravitch, R. (Interview) - acknowledged Fehr as an honest, decent, and bright union leader.
  • Lauren Rich (Assistant General Counsel, Players' Union) - described Fehr as a good-natured person who is willing to tolerate foibles but also subject colleagues to a rigorous examination.
  • Miller, M. (Autobiography) - criticized Fehr for rollbacks won by the owners in 1985, stating that the players had lost touch with their own history.
  • Greenberg, S. (Former Deputy Commissioner) - joked that Fehr had an unfair advantage in negotiations due to his frequent need to use inhalers and take medication.
  • The New York Times (Photo caption) - described Fehr's wealth as enormous and noted that he has never identified with elite groups.