MLB, umpires agree on new five-year labor pact

Major League Baseball and its umpires have agreed to ratify a new five-year labour contract, ensuring further labour peace.

Both parties announced the deal Wednesday.

The previous five-year contract between the World Umpires Association, which represents full-time MLB umpires, and the league expired on December 31. The agreement had been thrashed out during meetings between the two parties in December.

The pact will expire after the 2019 season.

It is the final major deal for Commissioner Bud Selig, who cedes office to Rob Manfred on Sunday.

The MLB has operated without the threat of work stoppage from its players or umpires for more than a decade.