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."

i really don't understand why the PA refuses to let the players vote on the latest proposal. Let them vote, if they are as united as they believe they are, there should be no issues there.

Players could still cross even with a strike in place. Vote or no vote doesn't necessarily indicate how united they are. That being said I obviously don't know how likely that is to actually happen.

The idea of the players attending camp while the two parties continue to negotiate might actually favour the players.  Once the players get on the field I believe that they'll hold the hammer over the league.  If I was Flory I'd agree to it and then hold the league hostage if negotiations don't go the players way. 

I remember 1982 in the NFL when the players went on strike & the NFL used replacement players. The big name players like Boomer Esiason & Eric Dickerson came back on their own defying their own union &  then a stream of veterans came back after a couple of week or so. The NFLPA collapsed. Took them nearly 20 years to get any power back.

The reason you lock players out is to take away their power. The NHLPA offered to play during negotiations. You never do that. Games right now are less valuable then games later. Worse case scenario they negotiate all season and players walk before grey cup. Don't play without an agreement.

Also unions never want to take offers to membership unless union leadership feels it's the best deal they can get. You often will a willing

Majority screw it up for the resolute minority.

The Saskatchewan numbers were just released. I'm too lazy to look. Wasn't it $60 million in revenue or something? And the $10 million profit includes $9million from the grey cup. So take that away and even the riders were razor thin margin.

Some idiotic blogger from the US on Twitter is trying to tell me that Saskatchewan made a profit of nearly 150 million dollars .... during Grey Cup week.

... and that's why he is claiming the players are asking for more than a reasonable amount of money.

He probably means the Grey Cup resulted in a $150 million economic impact for Sask.

I doubt it. He told me a "trusted source" confirmed to him that each team made roughly 18m a year in profit.

He's just a bozo

Can somebody explain to me what this statement means:

 

Rod Pedersen @sportscage · 13m

Durant at RMP: "The feeling in the league is it's 50/50" regarding support for the strike

 

Does he mean the players?

If it's 50/50 this will be over quick. This union will crack.

I would assume the pa is selling it to the players as "go to camp and get your bonus. We strike and you guys can chill out for training camp instead of busting ass. League won't miss a game and we will be back in time".

Can somebody explain to me what this statement means:

 

Rod Pedersen @sportscage · 13m

Durant at RMP: "The feeling in the league is it's 50/50" regarding support for the strike

 

Does he mean the players?

saw the tweet too, suspect it means, at least that is what i interpreted as, is the league feels the strike vote is 50/50 amongst players. 50 percent want too strike, 50 percent do not.

 

durant tho? as in darian? i'd suspect the qb's are in the "not wanting to strike" camp.

 

See, this is what happens in a league where careers arent long, these guys no they only have so much time... it boggles my mind that they are even thinking about striking when in reality, that could be the end of many of their careers.

man oh man, the canadian players at it on twitter too, these guys are delushional little morons, if not for the ratio, most wouldn't be in the league. who the heck is tristan black and why does he think he matters? 

 

Bo Levi Mitchell just said the league wants a 5 year deal, but thinks in 3 years the tsn deal will be renegotiated, where are they getting this info from? how are they gonna renegoiate a tv deal in 3 years when the deal is for 8 isn't it? someone be spewing a whole lot of bs to these guys it seems.

 

 

Does he think it's going to be renegotiated in favour of the league or in favour of TSN? Because if the players think TSN will drop the money they are paying that sentiment would certainly work in favour of the cfl.

If he thinks the deal will benefit the cfl then he should be very happy with the leagues offer to renegotiate the cba in three years of league revenue spikes.

apparently its only a 4 year tv deal? why did i think it was 8.

This  could be the end for guys like Burris at nearly 40. 

This could be the end for a lot of guys actually. 

 

Every year, every darn year, several new players come in to every team...

 

wally buono has said something about turning over half your roster most off seasons.

 

The players are thinking way to long term when most of them wont even be around in 3 years.

 

I dont get their mentality here. Do you think the players in 3 years are gonna care about these guys now? No, they are gonna take their jobs.

This  could be the end for guys like Burris at nearly 40. 

 

You know, I bet Burris sticks around the league for 3-4 more years. 

 

He's been so good at avoiding injury that I think he's pretty low mileage for a 38-year old.

apparently its only a 4 year tv deal? why did i think it was 8.

 

You thought about it twice in one day?

 

I hate to jiggle your mind again, but it's a 5 year deal

 

apparently its only a 4 year tv deal? why did i think it was 8.

 

You thought about it twice in one day?

 

I hate to jiggle your mind again, but it's a 5 year deal

good god, i need to pay more attention i guess.

The owners initial offer was an 8 year proposal. That's likely where you got the 8 years from.

 

apparently its only a 4 year tv deal? why did i think it was 8.

 

You thought about it twice in one day?

 

I hate to jiggle your mind again, but it's a 5 year deal

 

My understanding is it's a four year deal with the option to extend for a 5th, which the CFL is guaranteed to do.

Still in the consequence-free time.  Possible consequences - players losing some prep time.  Solution - come to camp "in good faith".  Still in the consequence free time.  No deal will happen until people stand to lose money by delaying one more minute.

The owners initial offer was an 8 year proposal. That's likely where you got the 8 years from.

Yeah, that makes more sense now.

Anyways, back to the topic somewhat. 

 

More specifically the tweets. i see nik lewis is at it again... Moron. 

 

Anyone see korey banks' tweets yesterday? talking about how the players need more money cuz the canadian dollar is low?

 

is this the high character type of guy we want on our team? Between banks and moore, i'm not sure how i feel anymore about the direction of the team.

 

I understand they are being union guys but.. the stupidity with a couple of their tweets really makes you question their character a wee bit.

 

Maybe it's just me, but i'd love to see these 2 guys get cut. lol. ok, maybe that's going to the extreme but i think i might have a hard time cheering for 2 dbags.

 

When the season does start, these 2 better step up.. the keyboard warrior stuff is really getting ridiculous, thought we got away from that when we let hef and jj go.

Golly, Goalie, your post sounds like a tweet in itself… in the sense that it might be unpopular even though it contains some truth.

 

Anyone see korey banks' tweets yesterday? talking about how the players need more money cuz the canadian dollar is low?

 

Quick, someone retweet back to him that it's cheaper to live in Winnipeg rather then Vancouver, so he'll be making gobs more money just because of that.

 

Seriously, what a stupid tweet.  Since the Canadian dollar is lower then the US, we should be making more?  Yeah, ok...but how can the CFL stay afloat if they're giving you all their money?  Oooohhh, that's right, you don't care because you're almost retired so you just want to milk it for all it's worth before you're gone and don't give a rats ass about the rookies or all the future Football players who will be part of the league years down the road.

 

I wouldn't cut the guy because of his tweets....it makes me want to smack him a little...a lot...but not cut him.

 

 

Anyone see korey banks' tweets yesterday? talking about how the players need more money cuz the canadian dollar is low?

 

Quick, someone retweet back to him that it's cheaper to live in Winnipeg rather then Vancouver, so he'll be making gobs more money just because of that.

 

Seriously, what a stupid tweet.  Since the Canadian dollar is lower then the US, we should be making more?  Yeah, ok...but how can the CFL stay afloat if they're giving you all their money?  Oooohhh, that's right, you don't care because you're almost retired so you just want to milk it for all it's worth before you're gone and don't give a rats ass about the rookies or all the future Football players who will be part of the league years down the road.

 

I wouldn't cut the guy because of his tweets....it makes me want to smack him a little...a lot...but not cut him.

 

gbill tweeted him back telling him that if the canadian dollar is an issue, he can go play in the arena league. I thought that was sufficient. 

Well if we give him a raise now, will he give back some money if/when the CDN dollar rises?  Yeah, I didnt think so. 

 

Its times like these you see the ego of people come out.  Its nice for us to think of the CFL as sort of that down to earth, grass roots league.  But it goes to show you there are people in it just for money who dont really "get" the reality of the situation.

 

Question:  How does a cap increase this season impact contracts?  If the cap goes up 3%, does every contract get a 3% raise?  Does it just give the teams more wiggle room for further signings? And if a team happened to not be at the floor after the cap raise, do they have to sign a player just to hit the floor or give a player an unexpected raise?