CFL players have given their bargaining unit a strong endorsement heading into the next round of collective bargaining with the league.
Over 97 per cent of players gave the union their support in a strike vote Wednesday, the CFL PlayersB次元官网网址� Association announced Thursday. The league and players will return to the bargaining table Monday and Tuesday in Toronto, their first face-to-face meeting since April 9.
B次元官网网址淐FL players have voted B次元官网网址榶esB次元官网网址� to their health and safety,B次元官网网址� the CFLPA said in a statement. B次元官网网址淵es to proper care and rehabilitation for themselves and their teammates.
B次元官网网址淎nd yes to a partnership with the CFL that recognizes the overall contributions and sacrifices players make for the game. The CFLPA bargaining team is focused on working as hard as we can to get an agreement done before 2019 training camps open. That commitment has not changed.B次元官网网址�
Exactly how many players participated in the vote wasnB次元官网网址檛 clear. In its statement, the CFLPA said, B次元官网网址淎lmost every CFL player participated in this vote.B次元官网网址�
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The current CBA expires May 18, with training camps scheduled to open the following day. The CFLPA has already recommended its players not report to camp if a new deal hasnB次元官网网址檛 been reached.
The overwhelming strike vote was hardly a surprise as such votes are normal protocol in collective bargaining. TheyB次元官网网址檙e usually done to show solidarity and provide the bargaining committee with a strike mandate as a sign the membership is serious about its demands in contract talks.
In this instance, itB次元官网网址檚 also a step in ensuring the various provincial laws are satisfied in the event a work stoppage is necessary. The CFLPA reiterated in the statement its goal remains reaching a fair deal that works for both parties.
The two sides formally began negotiations March 11-12.
B次元官网网址淲e conducted a strike vote on Wednesday because CFL players have a voice, because we need to satisfy various provincial labour codes,B次元官网网址� the statement said. B次元官网网址淎nd to empower our bargaining team as we continue to work through these collective negotiations.
B次元官网网址淭oday, it is clearer than ever that we are unified as an Association. CFL players deserve respect for the sacrifices they make for the game and for the CFL. We will return to bargaining, following the CFLB次元官网网址檚 unilateral decision to delay talks, on April 29 and 30 in Toronto. Our expectation is that we will come to a timely agreement that is fair and speaks to a true partnership.B次元官网网址�
There remains plenty of work for both sides to do as theyB次元官网网址檙e still involved in negotiating non-monetary issues.
There also are fences to mend. On April 10, the day after the last meeting, CFLPA executive director Brian Ramsay told reporters the league had unilaterally decided to delay negotiations until next Monday.
He added the union was informed the league had B次元官网网址渙ther prioritiesB次元官网网址� to take care of before it could resume negotiations. But on Wednesday, CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie remained confident there was still time for a deal to be reached.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e committed to getting a deal done with the players, one thatB次元官网网址檚 fair and really one that sets us up for a bright future,B次元官网网址� Ambrosie said after the Canadian Football Hall of Fame unveiled its 2019 class at BMO Field. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 still very optimistic that a deal is going to get done and the players will start training camp on time.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 excited weB次元官网网址檙e getting talks started again. IB次元官网网址檓 going to encourage everyone on both sides to sit down in a positive, constructive way and find a way to establishing a foundation so we can grow and build the league. ThereB次元官网网址檚 two willing partners at the table and a lot of energy. IB次元官网网址檓 confident we can get it done.B次元官网网址�
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
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