AROUND THE MAJORS : Umpires Make Move to Oust Phillips

Dissident umpires launched their campaign Thursday to oust union head Richie Phillips, saying they were starting to collect signatures to decertify the current union and start a new one.

The dissidents claim they have the support of more than 40 umpires, enough to force the National Labor Relations Board to hold an election by secret ballot.

It’s unclear, however, if they have the backing of a majority of the 93 major league umpires, a group that includes 22 who were let go earlier this month but continue to get paid through Dec. 31 under a settlement worked out in federal court.

“We want a union that does not encourage its members to follow flawed and dangerous strategies,” 13 umpires on the organizing board said in a statement.

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