http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/cfl/cflpa-preparing-for-potential-labour-stoppage/

 

"Believing they have reached an impasse after four months of negotiations with the Canadian Football League, the CFL Players’ Association is recommending its membership proceed with a strike vote, Sportsnet has learned.

The collective bargaining agreement between the league and players expires May 30, on the eve of training camp. And while both sides are scheduled to meet this Thursday and Friday in Toronto, documents obtained by Sportsnet indicate the union is readying itself for a potential labour stoppage.

“It is the position of your Negotiating Committee that the position of the CFL in relation to almost all matters and their refusal to have the cap in some way connected to revenue are unreasonable,” reads an internal memo written by CFLPA President Scott Flory and distributed to all CFL players last Friday. “As a result, we are recommending that the Players proceed with a strike vote.”

Flory, who did not immediately respond to Sportsnet’s request for comment, has previously stated that the union will not play the 2014 season under terms of the expiring CBA, while both sides negotiate.

Sources told Sportsnet that when the two sides broke on May 2, the league, which declined comment for this story, said it would return this week with further input from governors/owners on making progress toward a new economic model.

Since talks began in February, the CFLPA has been steadfast in its pursuit of revenue sharing, something that wasn’t included in the 2010 deal but has existed between the league and the CFLPA in the past. The league’s negotiation committee has not budged from its stance of having a fixed cap.

At the centre of the debate is a new television deal, reportedly worth $40 million this coming season. The current deal is worth $15.3 million.

Last season’s salary cap was $4.4 million and proposals obtained by Sportsnet show the CFL has offered the following when it comes to player compensation:

2014 – $4,500,000.00
2015 – $4,600,000.00
2016 – $4,650,000.00
2017 – $4,700,000.00
2018 – $4,750,000.00
2019 – $4,800,000.00
2020 – $4,900,000.00
2021 – $5,000,000.00

There are several other points of contention. The CFLPA has proposed a minimum annual player salary of $55,000—with a 10 percent increase annually. The league countered with a $46,000 minimum, which caps at $49,000 in 2021.

The union has proposed practice roster players make no less than $1,000 a week (or $18,000 per season). The league has countered with $750/week, but to increase the practice roster size to 12, from seven, and implement “two-way” contracts, making it easier for teams to release players.

The union is also pushing for an increase to post-season playoff share, and a hike to the Grey Cup bonus cheque, which the league has refused.

One area the two sides have come to terms on is the increase in roster size–from 42 to 44 on game day. The extra two spots would be occupied by a non-import and one designated import. The reserve list would drop from four per game to two.

The CFL has proposed an eight-year collective bargaining agreement, double the length of the current deal. The union wants the duration to be “subject to negotiation.”

A source tied to the league, speaking on the condition of anonymity, believes the tactic of the league and its governors/owners is patience—the thinking being that the union will eventually give in once the risk of losing pay is a legitimate possibility."

$750 a week is $39,000 a year. That's a very decent entry level salary for someone just out of university.

For professional sports $750 a week is a joke. You take off taxes & EI & it's a bit over $600 a week. Most guys can find jobs paying better than that.

Exactly, to put it on the line like they do training year round to compete at such a high level. They should be compensated fairly for what they do.

New stadiums all over the league, great revenue streams. Run it properly and every team should make some real good coin. Even with paying people what they deserve.

What I don't understand is why aren't both sides meeting more often to negotiate? Seems like they meet for a couple days, then nothing for two weeks. Seems odd to me if they want to get a deal done.

For professional sports $750 a week is a joke. You take off taxes & EI & it's a bit over $600 a week. Most guys can find jobs paying better than that.

 

You have to consider that our league, The Canadian Football League, is mostly a working man's professional league.

In no way should it be considered a joke.

It is unique and in it's own special way, very special, and too many have sacrificed so much to take it where it is, for it to be described in the way you present it.

It is what it has to be, and does what it has to do, to survive up here in Canada.

It's part of what makes it special.

Let's face it, money isn't what makes this league what it is, but having said that, I sure hope they can hash out a more equitable deal.

I am sure they are living a lot better better than many ball players in the minors. Where they are owned by billion dollar teams.

I am sure they are living a lot better better than many ball players in the minors. Where they are owned by billion dollar teams.

The CFL is the minors?

Well I guess they are having a hard time shedding the "Bush League" title.

Time to make a move into the pros or swim with the shmoes.

It's not the NFL what most want to get to.

It's not the NFL what most want to get to.

It's not the minors. At least they did not sell it to TSN that way during their contract negotiations. I think.

I get that. Point I was trying to make was billion dollar MLB don't treat the players they own and are developing better than practice roster players in the CFL.

The PR salary is much too low. By the time taxes, food, utilities, rent & expenses etc are added up it's not a great living. The minimum salary is also too low. I'm all for the players getting more. 

 

According to Drew Edwards, teams provide accommodation and some meals to PR players.

750 a week eh, i guess when you think about it, that's not that bad for a few months of the year, besides, players dont have to agree to be on PR's, they can decline and try to catch on elsewhere or try to get a job somewhere else also.

 

For a guy straight out of university or college, that's nothing to sneeze at exactly.

 

Fact is, this is the CFL... these guys aren't gonna become millionaires playing up here, they all know this ahead of time, maybe the qb's and elite players can become millionaires if they have long careers, guys like ray probably have a few million in the bank already... but.

 

I played football for 2 years when i was much younger, quit because i enjoyed hockey more... 

 

Tell you this much, if some hockey team offered me 750 or 3000 bucks a month to play hockey and have a chance at maybe making the pros, i'd strongly strongly consider it. Yeah sure, this year or this week you might be making 750 bucks a week but next year or the year after... who knows really.

 

Gotta start somewhere.

 

Few years ago when i was in college, 750 bucks a week would have been very nice, but at that time, it was more like 750 or even a few bucks less every 2 weeks. 750 a week, aint so bad at all really for a few hours of work really. For me,  a few years ago to make 750 every 2 weeks, that was almost 80 hours or so of work, these guys work what? 5 6 10 hours every couple weeks? if that?

 

how many hours of "work" do these guys get, sure its 750 a week but what happens if you break it down in a per hour type of scenario. Bet its not that bad at all. 

But it's not $750 after taxes & deductions. Probably more like $600.

or is this board full of lawyers doctors pharmacists and all that? cuz 750 a week aint that awful really.

But it's not $750 after taxes & deductions. Probably more like $600.

yeah so what, it's their choice. its per week man, thats  1200 every 2 weeks, thats nothing to cry about exactly.

 

i know lots of people who actually went to college and don't make that much per week right now after taxes.

It ain't great, either. Try living on that in Vancouver or Toronto.

 

But it's not $750 after taxes & deductions. Probably more like $600.

yeah so what, it's their choice. its per week man, thats  1200 every 2 weeks, thats nothing to cry about exactly.

 

i know lots of people who actually went to college and don't make that much per week right now after taxes.

 

Nothing to jump up & scream about, either.

or is this board full of lawyers doctors pharmacists and all that? cuz 750 a week aint that awful really.

 

 

or is this board full of lawyers doctors pharmacists and all that? cuz 750 a week aint that awful really.

I don't know if there are a lot of doctors & lawyers here. Maybe a few cheapskates.

no,nothing to jump up and scream about but... for a chance to live your dream, it's worth it.

 

Pretty obvious the guys who play in the CFL, sure they want the NFL big money but lots are definitely playing for the love of the game.

 

That is what makes the CFL so unique, people like all of us here can take our family and friends to a game and see guys who, hey you know what.. they aint making that much more than any of us, people complain lots when ticket prices go up, you keep raise salaries, ticket prices will keep going up.

It ain't great, either. Try living on that in Vancouver or Toronto.

 

I don't see how it would be any more difficult in those cities since the most expensive thing about living there is accommodation which PR players don't have to pay. 

 

And being on the PR doesn't mean they only make $750, that's the minimum they can be paid. Some do get more than that.

l

I get that. Point I was trying to make was billion dollar MLB don't treat the players they own and are developing better than practice roster players in the CFL.

Got it, the lines were kind of blured. But league minimum in the CFL is a joke. For a Pro League. Now I guess it depends if it is or not? Pros vs Shmoes.

Scott Mitchell ‏@SUNMitchell  18h

A source tells me the CFLPA is going to make a statement regarding CBA talks in the coming days. #CFL

 

Scott Mitchell ‏@SUNMitchell  18h

Two separate sources also said CBA negotiations today in Toronto didn't go well. Another day of talks slated for Friday. #CFL

@TSNScianitti: After meetings between #CFL & #CFLPA the last 2 days, a source w knowledge of the discussions says "no progress" came from Friday's meeting.

Whether the players need or deserve more money is an interesting discussion to have, but ultimately it is irrelevant because the CBA isn't going to be decided based on who deserves what.  It's going to be decided based on who has the most leverage, and I don't think anyone can make a serious argument that the players have the advantage.

 

I mean, even if they do strike, how long can the players really last?  Half a season?  Half the guys on CFL rosters right now will be replaced by next year at this time.  You think those guys are going to want to show solidarity with a bunch of guys they have never even played with before?  They know this is their last shot at a pro career, and they're going to want to take it.

 

And that doesn't even consider the money aspect.  $750/week may not be much money, but some of these guys are relying on that to feed their families.  Are they supposed to go out and get another job while they are on strike?  What do they do?

 

The owners may not be flush with cash, but they can eat the loss that may accompany a half-season work stoppage.  I'm not so sure the players can.

Let's put it his way. Both sides would be beyond stupid to have a work stoppage. Incredibly stupid. 

Let's put it his way. Both sides would be beyond stupid to have a work stoppage. Incredibly stupid. 

Let's hope both sides realize this before it's too late. However I get the impression the players are trying to play a game of chicken they can't win.