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."

In general, I think it proper that all members ( including rookies) have a vote. It's their future too, maybe even more so than an aging vet. They have a small window right now to prove themselves, next year there will be more rookies coming in. Proven vets get more chances and the benefit of doubt from coaches and managers. Just look at how excited some fans get for brand name players.

I'm going to assume that they aren't voting on the owners' proposal directly, but rather a typical strike mandate to allow the PA's leadership the authority to call a strike at any time. These are often sold as "negotiation tactics" but I hope that the players fully understand what the reality of the situation is.

 

I agree that all members should get an equal vote generally, but rookies aren't members yet cause they haven't paid any dues, they haven't been paid at all yet (aside from per diem, accommodation), even training camp stipends only kick in after a player has a year in the league.  It's kind of insane IMO that they are allowed to vote before they've made a team.  Their votes are going to be disproportionate too with full training camp rosters.  A bunch of guys who will get cut in the next 3 weeks are going to vote and never even become CFLPA members, versus the rookies being a relatively small portion of CFLPA members after rosters are set.

No increase in salary cap will go to the bottom third of roster its all going to go to starting Canadians and QBs. No point in a dramatic increase in salary cap so Ricky Ray, Henry Burris and Darian Durant get an extra 50k a year.

I would suspect the PA would *not* want rookies to count.  Why would a rookie vote to strike?  If the pre-season is wiped out, who is the first to go?  Probably the players on the bubble, the rookies getting a look.  Teams will only be able to go with what they know and if they dont know the rookies, they are done.  Rookies will vote to to NOT strike.

 

Thats why this re-vote confuses me.  Is it being forced upon the PA due to labour laws or is this the PA "confirming" their mandate.  Ie. they got a strong mandate to strike when there was no impending strike their talk of walking out caused a lot of players to slam on the breaks.  So now a re-vote.  If they dont get a strong majority to strike, thats as good as voting in favour of the CFL's offer.

 

On the subject of this extra Playoff game with no added pay: does that mean players play an extra game for the same per-game bonus?  Or the money now spent in Post Season is divided up among more games?

 

 

What they do the rest of the year isn't relevant. But from a pr perspective they can't plead poverty with $90,000 for six months work.

you can when your life is constantly on the line...

 

Are you joking me?  RCMP salary is less than this for a whole year and their lives truly are on the line.  These guys play a game, for God's sake!

 

I think he meant their professional life.  Like their job, they can get cut at any time.  Peace officers, military do put their lives on the line but 99.999% make it through.  And as long as they do their jobs properly can retire after a long career with great benefits. 

 

I would say the average RCMP officer's salary would be darn close to the average CFL salary and you are looking at a big difference in average career length.  

 

 

 

What they do the rest of the year isn't relevant. But from a pr perspective they can't plead poverty with $90,000 for six months work.

you can when your life is constantly on the line...

 

Are you joking me?  RCMP salary is less than this for a whole year and their lives truly are on the line.  These guys play a game, for God's sake!

 

I think he meant their professional life.  Like their job, they can get cut at any time.  Peace officers, military do put their lives on the line but 99.999% make it through.  And as long as they do their jobs properly can retire after a long career with great benefits. 

 

I would say the average RCMP officer's salary would be darn close to the average CFL salary and you are looking at a big difference in average career length.  

 

There is really no comparison between the community contribution of an RCMP officer versus a CFL player.  Dont even want to bother with that debate.

 

But sports is one of those things that is what it is.  I remember when I was a kid and the new arena debate was raging.  My dad complained about what players make compared to what he makes.  And I said well Dad, if 15,000 people paid X amount of dollars to watch you do your job, you'd make more. 

Dave Naylor said the League challenged the vote and the challenge was only upheld in Ontario.

Dave Naylor said the League challenged the vote and the challenge was only upheld in Ontario.

What was the nature of the challenge, that rookies were not included?

 

Dave Naylor said the League challenged the vote and the challenge was only upheld in Ontario.

What was the nature of the challenge, that rookies were not included?

 

 

He didn't say but that is seems about right to me.

Apparently the three Ontario teams (including the rookies) will have a strike re-vote ..

Madani reports players will begin striking on Monday.  Didnt say if that meant Monday at 11:59PM or Monday morning or what.

 

I could be wrong but this just seems foolish to me.  I dont see what is gained by striking away some Pre-Season games that are only going to end up screwing some players who are on the bubble.  Strike before the regular season if you want to pressure the league.

No increase in salary cap will go to the bottom third of roster its all going to go to starting Canadians and QBs. No point in a dramatic increase in salary cap so Ricky Ray, Henry Burris and Darian Durant get an extra 50k a year.

 

I agree.  If the union really cared about the players (not the big names) - you would increase the salary cap and the minimum.

I kind of feel now that the league should have locked the players out before camp to avoid all this strike silliness right when games are supposed to be played.  I wonder if the PA would be springing big leaks by now.

I think the CFL is just playing with the PA at this point.  Now the strike talk is in full effect, the league might offer a new deal shortly with minor consessions so as to prove they are the ones who really dont want labour distruptions.  If the PA rejects and strikes, public perception will be fully on the side of the league as well the league will be in the position of saying "hey, we made you guys a fair deal and now you strike...so if you want to play football, better come back to the table".  The onus would be right back on the players. 

 

The PA will then make a new deal that the league will reject and suddenly you'll have veterans questioning the PA about why they're missing games.

Madani reports players will begin striking on Monday.  Didnt say if that meant Monday at 11:59PM or Monday morning or what.

 

I could be wrong but this just seems foolish to me.  I dont see what is gained by striking away some Pre-Season games that are only going to end up screwing some players who are on the bubble.  Strike before the regular season if you want to pressure the league.

Money.  Looking for answers as to why anything happens in life?  Easiest starting point is follow the money.

 

If the players do what you suggest they lose their game cheques.

 

Losing a pre-season game only affects the revenue stream of the teams.  Doesn't cost the players anything.

@SUNMitchell: With Alberta strike vote looming, two sources tell me #CFL and CFLPA are doing some late-afternoon negotiating today.

@TSNScianitti: Positive news on #CFL #CFLPA talks: There were discussions Friday & talks did not break off. Strike votes will still take place, but...hope?

I'd suspect pay is desperately looking for a face-saver at this point.

What is the CFL worried about a 10th team in the new CBA for? (Like for sure  there'll be a new team in the next four years). Just get a damned deal done, asshats. Everyone involved are a bunch of idiots.

Golden Goose meet Cleaver. I doubt that both sides want any part of causing, what could be irreparable damage to the league and it's fans. Saner heads must prevail and it looks like a light has gone on, in a couple of noggins', with the latest developments. Get it done guys.

I doubt the 10th team parts of the cba are causing issues.

What is the CFL worried about a 10th team in the new CBA for? (Like for sure  there'll be a new team in the next four years). Just get a damned deal done, asshats. Everyone involved are a bunch of idiots.

 

They're not idiots both sides are just looking for the best deal. Revenue sharing won't happen that's for sure so the players are going to concede that. No preseason games (that hurts the owners) but I highly doubt these guys will miss a paycheck.Only thing I'm curious about, will it be a strike,or a lock out?

The CFL is on record saying they won't lock out the players. It's on the players whether or not games will be missed.

The CFL is on record saying they won't lock out the players. It's on the players whether or not games will be missed.

 

I've heard that but I've also heard they aren't dismissing it as a possibilty either. From what I gather, the Players would strike, but would come back to work to start the season even if a contract was not in play, it would be at that point the owners would 'lock them out'. People speculating on talk radio (I don't even know if that would be legal TBH) is where I heard that from. 

League is silly if they don't lock out players.

Twitter all afire with pics of the cflpa voting stations which consist of mini vans in parking lots. Lol

I doubt the 10th team parts of the cba are causing issues.

No, but even putting that in a CBA offer from the CFL is ludicrous. Why makes things more difficult than they are?