The World Umpires Association ratified a new 5-year deal with Major League Baseball Monday, extending through 2014. Officials for both the union and team owners stated that negotiations went off without any acrimony. Terms included a slight pay raise for umpires that increases over the span of the contract, and clauses giving increased flexibility to the league to insure the best umpires can be used in the postseason. In addition, the deal will pave the way for Commissioner Bud Selig to gradually expand the use of instant replay in ballgames.
See "Umpires ratify labor agreement", Barry M. Bloom and Tom Singer, MLB.com, January 19, 2010