Ex-minor leaguers in class-action suit against MLB detail living, working conditions

Though the Major League Baseball Players Association is widely considered one of the strongest unions in sports through the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements for its members, minor leaguers have no such representation. A group of current and former players filed a lawsuit in 2014 against Major League Baseball alleging violations of federal and state labor laws, including minimum wage and overtime regulations.

Three of the minor-league players involved in the suit against MLB, including lead plaintiff Aaron Senne, detailed the living and working conditions they experienced and their motivations for trying to remedy the climate in the minors to the Toronto Star's Brendan Kennedy.

"What the lawsuit asks for is that we deserve the same rights as employees of any other company - your McDonald's or Wal-Mart or Target, whoever it might be," Senne said.

Filed in California, Senne et al v. Office of the Commissioner of Baseball et al alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act by MLB and 22 of its teams (eight were dismissed for lack of jurisdiction in California). More than 1,100 eligible former and current players signed on to the suit during its 90-day opt-in period.

MLB argued that wage increases for minor-league players (or seasonal employees for all intents and purposes) would cause an "unprecedented cost increase which would jeopardize" the entire existence of the minor leagues and its skills-developing role in baseball.

All minor leaguers, regardless of organization, work during spring training for no pay. Senne believes MLB should have to comply with the same laws as other companies.

The Star profiled Senne on Monday, as well as two other plaintiffs in the lawsuit:

Aaron Senne, 28

• Drafted in 2010 by the Florida Marlins; played three seasons in the minor-league system after being standout four-year starter at Mizzou
• Monthly salary between $800 and $1,200 during his career
• Bought groceries in bulk, "mostly frozen pizza rolls and peanut butter and jelly"
• Once lived in a two-bedroom apartment with five other teammates

• 13th-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2008
• Earned under $40,000 over five-year career in minors
• Participated in unpaid spring training in 2013, released afterward
• In-laws paid his rent for a Dunedin, Fla. apartment with his wife after the birth of their first child in 2010

• Son of former Blue Jays outfielder Jesse Barfield
• Eighth-round pick of the Oakland A's in 2008
• At the Double-A level, made $7,700 in five-month season
• Oakland tried to convert him into a pitcher, sending him from Triple-A to Class-A. Barfield wasn't aware of the related $300 monthly pay decrease until it happened.