As negotiations continue between Major League Soccer and the players' union, another step has been taken towards what could be the first strike in MLS history. The new soccer season is scheduled to begin March 25th, and after a contract extension, and a second extension proposal (refused by the players), the opposing sides have not yet been able to come to an agreement. The players' union voted yesterday by a vote of 350 to 2 to approve a work stoppage if an agreement has not been reached by the start of the new season. Players say that they feel there is a good chance that it will come to collective action - they do not feel they have come close to an agreement, even with the new addition of DC mediator, George H. Cohen. The league seems to have a more positive outlook, but claimed to be disappointed by the vote, and the players' decisions to discuss the status of negotiations.
See "MLS players say they?ll strike if labor deal is not reached by season opener", Terez A. Paylor, Kansas City Star, March 11, 2010