The Canadian Football Players’ Association has updated its union membership on the latest developments regarding a collective bargaining agreement for a potential 2020 season.
The CFL has tentatively chosen Winnipeg as its hub city, if the league and players cane come together on a coronavirus CBA. The league’s self-imposed deadline of July 23 has passed, however, the sides are still trying to work towards returning to play.
Full memo below:
Gentlemen,
As you know when we began discussions with the League, they set today, July 24th, as their deadline to make decisions on a shortened season. Your Bargaining Committee has another meeting with the League today to continue our negotiations on player health and safety along with Hub City issues and modifications to the Collective Agreement necessitated by a shortened season.
Although we have made significant progress we have yet to engage in meaningful discussions around pay. We will continue to engage them on this but until the federal government makes a decision on financial support for the league, it is unlikely we will be able to finalize an agreement today. Please expect further communications following our meetings today.
On Canada Day, July 1, the union received a guiding principals statement from the CFL’s player relations committee. The current CBA doesn’t expire until the end of the 2021 season, but there will need to be a modified set of terms to accommodate a possible shortened campaign amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CFLPA was sent the conditions the league office would want the players union to agree to for a hub city model. Those conditions for play include an acceptable level of federal or provincial government financial support.
The CFL offered the CFLPA pro-rated base salaries of 33 percent for a six-game season. The union was surveyed by the CFL Players’ Association, and according to sources over 85 percent of players replied no to the financial aspect.
Compensation for players is the most critical factor for any sort of season to happen this year.
