The U.S. opens start Monday, but the U.S. Tennis Association remains entangled in a tussle with its umpires and line judges over under-paid wages. The conflict manifested into a lawsuit last September, when a group of umpires and line-judges filed suit against the association for failing to pay the appropriate wages, including refusal to pay overtime.
The cry from umpires and judges gained the support of many top tennis players, including the Golden Grand Slam winner Serena Williams.
In September 2011, four U.S.T.A. umpires and line-judges filed a class action suit against the agency for violating the state and federal labor laws between 2005 and 2011. In April, a NY District judge, Andrew Carter, granted the plaintiffs request of notifying the 300 certified chair umpires and judges of a petition that would allow them to join in the lawsuit against the association.
According to the New York Times, the USTA calls upon 300 certified umpires and judges to the US opens every year to officiate the opening. According to the report, those part-taking in the ceremony are compensated for food, travel and living accommodations. The NY Times reports that they are paid between $115-$225 per day based on the level of experience. Last year, the NYT revealed that the USTA paid its judges and empires the lowest rate in any Grand Slam tournament.
A Chair Umpire told the newspaper, "We've been saying this for years and years... The U.S. Open makes more and more each year, but very little of that goes to the officials. Gold badge umpires don't want to come here. Why? A lot of the answer is money."
The lawsuit urged the association to treat its umpires and judges as employees, rather than independent contractors, however the USTA denies this assessment, partially on the basis of its status as a recreational organization.
The US Tennis Opens begins Monday at Flushing Meadows, Queens.
