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."

 

Arash Madani ‏@ArashMadani  51s

Very, very little has changed from the #CFL proposal to the players from eight days ago. Average $5 mil cap last week. Now up to about $5.1.

 

madani needs to be way more balanced in his reporting, he has taken the side of the players and it's obvious.

 

Kirk Penton just pointed out .. at least they've moved on from revenue sharing. That IS a big step.

Makes you wonder then why can't they get a deal done. Unfreakingbelievable. 

 

Because there is still consequence-free time left.  Once they run out of time and there are actual impacts on players lives, stuff will get done.

ha, they are offering vets 5000$ if they are on the week 1 roster... Let the players vote, what is the PA worried about? they might accept it?

5.2m cap, raising to 5.7m over course of 5 yr term.

 

Minimum salary of 55k raising to 62.5k over course of 5 yr term.

 

5k veteran bonus, 2.5k rookie bonus for showing up.

 

Give them their independent neurologist, 5 padded practices every four weeks.

 

Beers all around.

 

Call it a day.

 

There. I just did Molstad's job. Pay me.

@scratchingpost: #CFLPA VP Marwan Hage: "It's two steps forward, ten steps backward." #CFL

No Marwin, it's 1 step forward, scratch your balls for a while, wonder why those last 100 steps aren't happening on their own, wait a week.

Funny, Nick Moore wasn't complaining when he signed his over valued contract in free agency...

 

Nick M. ‏@NickMoore_1  2m

Report to camp, "in good faith"....lmao come on man

It's like the players don't seem to understand that the reason the CFL isn't bending on certain issues is because they hold value.

 

Lower your monetary demands (which ARE ridiculous) and I'm sure the CFL will agree to some of the other requests (on field neurologist, # of practices, etc)

Funny, Nick Moore wasn't complaining when he signed his over valued contract in free agency...

 

Nick M. ‏@NickMoore_1  2m

Report to camp, "in good faith"....lmao come on man

 

I'm not a big Nick Moore fan and stuff like this is why. He is one of those guys that I'll cheer for on the field but I don't have much use for off of it.

 

It's like he's been diagnosed with Jovon Johnson Syndrome.

The sad thing is that any increase in the cap you know that money is going to be used to increase the salary of the top 30% or so of players. Does Ricky Ray need and extra 50k. on his salary. No change in the camp will add value to the middle of pack of players. Much like life its either the top or the bottom that gets the real breaks.

 

Funny, Nick Moore wasn't complaining when he signed his over valued contract in free agency...

 

Nick M. ‏@NickMoore_1  2m

Report to camp, "in good faith"....lmao come on man

 

I'm not a big Nick Moore fan and stuff like this is why. He is one of those guys that I'll cheer for on the field but I don't have much use for off of it.

 

It's like he's been diagnosed with Jovon Johnson Syndrome.

 

Couldn't have said it any better. Seems like another keyboard warrior.

 

 

Funny, Nick Moore wasn't complaining when he signed his over valued contract in free agency...

 

Nick M. ‏@NickMoore_1  2m

Report to camp, "in good faith"....lmao come on man

 

I'm not a big Nick Moore fan and stuff like this is why. He is one of those guys that I'll cheer for on the field but I don't have much use for off of it.

 

It's like he's been diagnosed with Jovon Johnson Syndrome.

 

Couldn't have said it any better. Seems like another keyboard warrior.

 

so not exactly the high character type of player that the team seems to want or need? That can't be good.

These players need to keep their mouths shut right now... receivers are a dime a dozen, nick moore needs to understand he is very very replaceable. Who the heck was nick moore 3 years ago? 

5.2m cap, raising to 5.7m over course of 5 yr term.

 

Minimum salary of 55k raising to 62.5k over course of 5 yr term.

 

5k veteran bonus, 2.5k rookie bonus for showing up.

 

Give them their independent neurologist, 5 padded practices every four weeks.

 

Beers all around.

 

Call it a day.

 

There. I just did Molstad's job. Pay me.

I counter with 5.2M cap this year going up by $75K per year and forget about re-opening up the 'Tied to Revenue' talk in a couple of years.  The TSN money isn't going up each year and other costs do go up each year, so the teams are going to have to raise additional revenue on their own to pay for the yearly increases.

 

Rookies don't vote, so min salary raised to 50K with yearly 5% increases.  

 

1K signing bonus per rookie and 6K for the vets cuz they vote.

 

Any competent trainer can do the concussion tests and neurologist's cost money, so counter with a team doctor at every game.

 

I'm not into beer so Rum and Cokes all round.

 

5.2m cap, raising to 5.7m over course of 5 yr term.

 

Minimum salary of 55k raising to 62.5k over course of 5 yr term.

 

5k veteran bonus, 2.5k rookie bonus for showing up.

 

Give them their independent neurologist, 5 padded practices every four weeks.

 

Beers all around.

 

Call it a day.

 

There. I just did Molstad's job. Pay me.

I counter with 5.2M cap this year going up by $75K per year and forget about re-opening up the 'Tied to Revenue' talk in a couple of years.  The TSN money isn't going up each year and other costs do go up each year, so the teams are going to have to raise additional revenue on their own to pay for the yearly increases.

 

Rookies don't vote, so min salary raised to 50K with yearly 5% increases.  

 

1K signing bonus per rookie and 6K for the vets cuz they vote.

 

Any competent trainer can do the concussion tests and neurologist's cost money, so counter with a team doctor at every game.

 

I'm not into beer so Rum and Cokes all round.

 

 

*walks out*

 

 

5.2m cap, raising to 5.7m over course of 5 yr term.

 

Minimum salary of 55k raising to 62.5k over course of 5 yr term.

 

5k veteran bonus, 2.5k rookie bonus for showing up.

 

Give them their independent neurologist, 5 padded practices every four weeks.

 

Beers all around.

 

Call it a day.

 

There. I just did Molstad's job. Pay me.

I counter with 5.2M cap this year going up by $75K per year and forget about re-opening up the 'Tied to Revenue' talk in a couple of years.  The TSN money isn't going up each year and other costs do go up each year, so the teams are going to have to raise additional revenue on their own to pay for the yearly increases.

 

Rookies don't vote, so min salary raised to 50K with yearly 5% increases.  

 

1K signing bonus per rookie and 6K for the vets cuz they vote.

 

Any competent trainer can do the concussion tests and neurologist's cost money, so counter with a team doctor at every game.

 

I'm not into beer so Rum and Cokes all round.

 

 

*walks out*

 

 and that's why we have labour disputes.

Am I correct in understanding that players with signing bonuses in their contracts can report to camp on Saturday, pass their physicals, get paid their bonuses and then strike on Sunday?  And if so, couldnt the CFL lock them out tonight and prevent those bonuses from being paid?

 

 

 

5.2m cap, raising to 5.7m over course of 5 yr term.

 

Minimum salary of 55k raising to 62.5k over course of 5 yr term.

 

5k veteran bonus, 2.5k rookie bonus for showing up.

 

Give them their independent neurologist, 5 padded practices every four weeks.

 

Beers all around.

 

Call it a day.

 

There. I just did Molstad's job. Pay me.

I counter with 5.2M cap this year going up by $75K per year and forget about re-opening up the 'Tied to Revenue' talk in a couple of years.  The TSN money isn't going up each year and other costs do go up each year, so the teams are going to have to raise additional revenue on their own to pay for the yearly increases.

 

Rookies don't vote, so min salary raised to 50K with yearly 5% increases.  

 

1K signing bonus per rookie and 6K for the vets cuz they vote.

 

Any competent trainer can do the concussion tests and neurologist's cost money, so counter with a team doctor at every game.

 

I'm not into beer so Rum and Cokes all round.

 

 

*walks out*

 

 and that's why we have labour disputes.

 

Dude I think he just really wanted beer.

Typical Albertans...

 

Kirk Penton @PentonKirk

It's convenient that Alberta is causing a delay in the strike vote. Veterans will get some money on Saturday if they report. #CFL

•  

  Kirk Penton ‏@PentonKirk 5m

   

  #CFL source estimates there are 10 to 12 veterans on each team who would collect a report-and-pass bonus this weekend.

   

From Jason Pottinger...I wonder what he considers tweeting the opposing side of the bargaining table in an unflattering way to be.

 

@JasonAMT: @CFLMikeCopeland your PR bullying tactics are embarrassing, and unprofessional. We stand United as a union. #CFL #CFLPA

Dude I think he just really wanted beer.

Just to get this thing signed....  Beer for everyone else.  Rum and Coke for me.  

 

Dude I think he just really wanted beer.

Just to get this thing signed....  Beer for everyone else.  Rum and Coke for me.  

 

 

What kind of beer?

 

Typical Albertans....

 

Kirk Penton @PentonKirk

It's convenient that Alberta is causing a delay in the strike vote. Veterans will get some money on Saturday if they report. #CFL

 

Every province has different labour laws. 

anyone else find the wording of Cohon's release confusing?

 

"This afternoon, the Canadian Football League has sent its best offer for a new collective bargaining agreement directly to the players. Unfortunately, this best offer was rejected by the CFLPA executive committee this morning. 

 

 

um... that's not how time works.

 

seems like since we make fun of Flory's releases (rightly so) we ought to hold the league to the same standard.

anyone else find the wording of Cohon's release confusing?

"This afternoon, the Canadian Football League has sent its best offer for a new collective bargaining agreement directly to the players. Unfortunately, this best offer was rejected by the CFLPA executive committee this morning.

um... that's not how time works.

seems like since we make fun of Flory's releases (rightly so) we ought to hold the league to the same standard.

I think it was rejected by the PA in the morning so they sent it directly to the players after that in the afternoon.

Either that or they built a flux capacitor and managed to harness 1.21 gigawatts.