wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
14 years ago
NFL, players' union agree to mediation
 


Two weeks before a potential lockout, the NFL and its players' union are asking for help in their stalled negotiations.

Both sides agreed Thursday to mediation as they discuss a new collective bargaining agreement. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, an independent U.S. government agency, will oversee talks in Washington beginning Friday.

After holding separate discussions with representatives from the league and the union, FMCS director George H. Cohen said both sides agreed to have the agency mediate. Meditation is not binding.

Negotiations broke down last week, leading to the cancellation of one planned session. The players are expecting the owners to lock them out if the CBA expires on March 3 without a new agreement.

"Due to the extreme sensitivity of these negotiations and consistent with the FMCS's long-standing practice, the agency will refrain from any public comment concerning the future schedule and/or the status of those negotiations until further notice," Cohen said.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press in an e-mail: "We are now in mediation."

The league also switched an owners meeting from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on March 3, to Chantilly, Va., on March 2-3.

In a statement, NFLPA spokesman George Atallah said: "The NFLPA has always focused on a fair collective bargaining agreement through negotiations. We hope that this renewed effort, through mediation, will help the players and owners reach a successful deal."

Cohen said in a statement that the negotiations will be conducted "under my auspices." He is no stranger to sports mediation. He was involved in Major League Soccer talks with its players' union and a work stoppage was avoided last year.

Cohen also has worked with the players' associations for Major League Baseball, helping end the 1994-95 strike as a consulting attorney, and the NBA, and was an advisor to the NHL players' union before joining the FMCS.

The FMCS website says it "provides free mediation services in contract negotiation disputes between employers and their unionized employees. All the parties have to do is make a request."

The FMCS also became involved in negotiations during the 2004-05 NHL lockout, and a 2005 dispute between the U.S. Soccer Federation and its players.

"Our agency director will be working with the parties to assist them in reaching a voluntary, mutually acceptable agreement," FMCS public affairs director John Arnold said in a telephone interview.

News of mediation could be a positive sign after several months of infrequent negotiations. It also comes only days after the NFL filed an unfair labor practice charge against the NFLPA with the National Labor Relations Board. Monday's filing said the union "consistently has failed to confer in good faith" during negotiations for a new contract and the union's "conduct amounts to surface bargaining and an anticipatory refusal to bargain."

Aiello told the AP the mediation would not have an effect on the NLRB complaint.

The biggest issue separating the sides is how to divide about $9 billion in annual revenues. Among the other significant points in negotiations: the owners' push to expand the regular season from 16 games to 18 while reducing the preseason by two games; a rookie wage scale; and benefits for retired players.

"Our ultimate goal is a new CBA," Atallah wrote Thursday on his Twitter feed. "I will not discuss any details about the next set of negotiations. We are observing a strict media blackout."

Some players, however, were commenting moments after the announcement.

"NFL and NFLPA agreeing to meet with a federal mediator is a real positive step," Vikings tackle Bryant McKinnie said on his Twitter account. "Let's see if he can get them to make actual progress."

Added player agent Drew Rosenhaus: "Exciting news to see the NFLPA & the Owners talking again through the mediation process a productive step in the right direction!"


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wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
14 years ago

The FMCS website says it "provides free mediation services in contract negotiation disputes between employers and their unionized employees. All the parties have to do is make a request."



Then how do they make any money?


Cohen also has worked with the players' associations for Major League Baseball, helping end the 1994-95 strike as a consulting attorney, and the NBA, and was an advisor to the NHL players' union before joining the FMCS.



If Cohen has served in various capacities for the players association in others sports, how can he be considered impartial?
UserPostedImage
Nonstopdrivel
14 years ago
It's an independent federal agency (like the Department of Agriculture), meaning it's nonpolitical but funded by taxpayer dollars.
UserPostedImage
14 years ago
Finally some good news regarding their negotiations. I hope they make some serious progress.
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Wade
  • Wade
  • Veteran Member
14 years ago

It's an independent federal agency (like the Department of Agriculture), meaning it's nonpolitical but funded by taxpayer dollars.

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:



That's so cool.

Not only are the NFL/NFLPA fucking with the fans of football, they're fucking them on the taxpayer's dime.

Explain to me, please, why a dispute been millionaires and billionaires has to be paid for with tax dollars?

:microwave:
:xcensoredx:
:microwave:
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
Nonstopdrivel
14 years ago
Come on, Wade. You know better than I do it's being funded more by borrowing than taxpayer dollars. 😉
UserPostedImage
14 years ago
I will send a thank you card and a dozen cookies to China for paying for this if the deal goes through.
UserPostedImage
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