Two former Chicago Cubs hope players and owners can hammer out a new labor agreement to avoid another Major League Baseball player’s strike. Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins says issues like a luxury tax and drug testing put added pressure on the players. He says they have a tough way to go to get what they want, and he says they have to bend at some point to prevent a work stoppage or strike. Jenkins says they’re are difficult issues to settle but says they need to be addressed. He says whatever is done, they have to sign a long-term contract to keep playing.Jenkins says the owners are digging in over the issue of competitive balance. He says the weaker teams won’t ever win without parity.The players’ union on Monday decided against setting a strike date. Former Cubs’ catcher Jody Davis says reaching an agreement is imperative.While escalating salaries receive the most attention, Davis says there are dozens of issues that get hammered out during negotiations. He says the players are concerned about the game, he says the things that go on behind closed doors are never really heard. He says you have to hope that they settle it.Davis says from a players’ perspective the most difficult aspect is trusting ownership. He says there was a strike when he broke in 1981 and he says the owners were claiming back then that they were going broke.Both Jenkins and Davis will be in Des Moines on Sunday to take part in a mini Cubs’ reunion prior to the Iowa Cubs game.
