WNY Sports Officials Reach Five Year Agreement, Referee Pay Dispute Ends

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JAMESTOWN, NY (WNY News Now) – A high school referee pay dispute has come to an end, after sports officials in Western New York reached a five-year agreement with Section VI.

The agreement was hashed out on Monday during a meeting between both the New York State Public High School Athletic Association and Section VI Athletics.

It allows officials to return to sporting events starting Tuesday as scheduled.

“Appreciative of the work of Section VI & the Western NY Sports Officials to ensure students are afforded the opportunity to play! Both groups agreed in principle on a 5-year contract this evening. High school sports benefit students, schools, and communities,” said Executive Director of New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Doctor Robert Zayas on Twitter.”

Previously, the two groups were at odds over a pay increase.

Officials sought a $4 raise in the first year of a six-year agreement, however say they were only offered $2 raise with no opportunity to expand the figure.