BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Section VI has rejected the latest offer from the High School Sports Officials of Western New York, according to the referee organization. Their current contract expires on August 31.
The two parties have been negotiating deals since December of 2021.
The High School Sports Officials of Western New York are demanding more money after not being paid throughout the pandemic due to athletic seasons being put on pause.
The sports officials say that the cost of the position and the cost of living is high. Additionally, they only agreed to wage cuts with an understanding that they would be properly compensated in the future by Section VI or Governor Hochul with the Foundation Aid.
Both parties allegedly agreed to base pay over the next six years. However, the sports officials say that Section VI recently placed new criteria on receiving base pay that never existed prior.
7 News reached out to Section VI Thursday, a statement was provided Friday:
"Section VI continues to be committed to our student-athletes and school districts. It is important to Section VI to continue its long-standing goodwill with the Western New York Sports Officials," the statement said. "It is the position of Section VI not to negotiate contracts in public. The appearance of a potential work stoppage will negatively impact our member schools and student-athletes. We continue to value our officials in the service they provide to our student-athletes.
"Section VI has been dedicated over the last year to negotiating a fair contract for all involved and stands committed to a successor agreement."
