Labor dispute at company that makes MLB uniforms; Baseball players union lends support

The factory makes uniforms for every major leaguer, from likely Hall of Famers such as Albert Pujols to minor league call-ups like former IronPigs hurler Tyler Cloyd, as well as high-end replicas worn by fans everywhere.

Now a labor dispute that has caught the attention of the Major League Baseball Players Association threatens to disrupt that supply. The textile workers’ three-year contract will expire Friday night. And Pennsylvania Joint Board Workers United, Service Employees International Union is locked in a duel with VF Majestic over medical benefits.

The Major League Baseball Players Association weighed in last week with what might be considered the labor equivalent of chin music to VF Majestic, penning a letter of support for the textile workers at the Palmer Township plant.

“At the end of 2011, our union negotiated a successful new collective bargaining agreement that will expire in December 2016,” wrote Michael Weiner, the Players Association’s executive director and general counsel. “Now is the time for all of you to stick together so that you can achieve your goal as well: a fair contract with good wages, good health care and respect on the job.”

Oh, you can’t scare me, I’m sticking to the union,
I’m sticking to the union, I’m sticking to the union.
Oh, you can’t scare me, I’m sticking to the union,
I’m sticking to the union ‘til the day I die.