Called Strike

The right to strike is a fundamental precept of U.S. democracy. Still, major league baseball players scarcely seem to fit into the same category as coal miners, auto workers or even schoolteachers. But last week, the National and American League teams voted unanimously to call a strike against their owners.

At issue was the players' demand for greater pensions. Under the last contract, signed in 1969, they get basically $60 a month for each year of service in the major leagues, paid beginning at age 50. Players average about 41 years in the majors; the pension, however, is paid only to players with at least four years' service. Now the players want a 17% rise in pension benefits to cover cost of living increases.

What is really at stake is not so much money as ego and the traditional order of things. The owners are used to having their own way and the hired help has only lately begun to test its muscle at collective bargaining. It was a called strike that surprised everyone, and it may possibly be settled before the first ball is due to be tossed out this week.

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