MEXICO CITY -- With the NFL ready to start using replacement
officials in next week's exhibition finales, commissioner Paul
Tagliabue reiterated Sunday that their union must give some ground
in talks that will be renewed Monday night.
"Their position until now has been very unyielding," said
Tagliabue, who instead of staying in Mexico for Monday night's
Dallas-Oakland game will fly to Dallas to negotiate with Tom
Condon, the agent who represents the officials.
"I think it's very important for them to recognize that they
have to make a significant change in their point of view and take
seriously the offer I sent out last week to all of the officials."
The NFL is offering officials a 40 percent increase immediately
and a doubled salary by 2003. Last week, the league hired 106
replacement officials, who were guaranteed $4,000 each for two
games whether or not they work.
Condon, who has a reputation for settling player contracts at
the last minute, has said all along he believes the dispute will be
decided at the last minute.
"I think we can get something done in Dallas," he said this
weekend.
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