United States Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh told Major League Baseball that he's willing to get involved in the ongoing lockout, according to Evan Drellich of The Athletic.
"I have spoken to both the MLBPA and MLB about the ongoing contract negotiations and encourage both sides to continue engagement," Walsh said through a spokesperson. "Like any contract negotiation in any industry, I stand ready to help facilitate productive conversations that result in the best outcome for workers and employers."
The last time the U.S. government participated in MLB labor relations was during the 1994 strike, which included President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, and Secretary of Labor Robert Reich.
Walsh's interest to help comes after the MLBPA rejected the league's request for federal mediation.
"The reasoning though is because we don't think it speeds up the process at all, history tells us in our sport it hasn't been favorable to reaching a deal, and our staff and outside counsel guide us on things like this. That is what they are for," MLBPA executive board member Andrew Miller said when asked why the union didn't want to proceed with mediation, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN.
"Our position is that it is quite the opposite from negotiating and being ready to negotiate. We are there, and our proposals and desire to meet at the table show that. The league is refusing to counter, the league is the side that has stalled and not been willing or ready to meet."
The MLBPA agreed to mediation in 1994, but a month-long session didn't stop that season's World Series from being canceled.
