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http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21449167-5006066,00.html
Mason won't talk to chief executive
By Steve Mascord and Dean Ritchie
March 27, 2007
CONTROVERSIAL Bulldogs forward Willie Mason says he has no plans to hold talks with Matthew Rodwell despite the player association boss's attempts to contact him.
The Australia Test star dropped a bombshell at the weekend - saying players should consider striking during this year's State of Origin series if the salary cap is not increased. He also called the Rugby League Professionals Association "weak".
Rodwell was yesterday trying to speak to Mason about those comments, but Mason said he wouldn't hold talks.
"I don't have his number," Mason said.
The Bulldogs giant said he had received good feedback from fellow players over his calls for the cap to be significantly raised from its current level of $4 million and for tough tactics if that doesn't happen.
And Mason stepped up his attack last night - calling for the minimum wage for all NRL players to be increased to $120,000 a season.
"I've received plenty of support, yeah," he said.
"People have been good.
"But the club have asked me not to comment on it. I'm going to go on The Footy Show on Thursday and clear it all up a bit."
Mason said the emphasis on his call for industrial action as a last resort had been overplayed.
"It's been sort of taken out of context ... it's just that word 'strike'," he said.
"I'll clear it all up."
Rodwell said he had left messages with Mason in the hope of explaining to him in some detail the contents of the RLPA's collective bargaining agreement with the NRL.
But rather than hit back at Mason, Rodwell said the RLPA had to provide working conditions that the players wanted.
"We've been criticised and called things and we have to cop it sweet," Rodwell said.
"It's like playing footy, you have to respond to criticism with your performance.
"We have to go away and find a document that gives the players what they are happy with. I am confident, in my dealings with the NRL, that there is room to move in negotiations."
But having agreed on a new CBA with the NRL, and submitted it for approval to government departments, Rodwell admitted he had no idea what would happen if the players now voted against it.
"I don't know - we might have to go away and take advice or something like that," he said.
Asked if a higher cap was more likely as a result of Mason's outburst, Rodwell said: "There were a lot of people doing a lot of hard work before Willie said what he did."
Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr said players had been misinformed about the NRL's "new media deal" with Telstra worth $90 million.
One NRL source said yesterday: "The players think we are hiding some pot of gold. It's not there."
Carr denied Mason's strike threat would be used against the player in his stated ambition to be Australia skipper.
"Not from my point of view," Carr said.
"Willie just seems a little confused about the situation. He only saw the figures on a press release $90 million. Not the ins and outs that took place during negotiations.
"That money has been taken into consideration and budgeted for. Willie has to understand that.
"I think Willie was poorly advised when going to press.
"I like Willie and he is entitled to his open and democratic opinion. But he should have spoken to the RLPA about the negotiations first."
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whats the average wage in Australia? I have a feeling it's between $40-$50,000 but if you're an average footballer who's doing it for the LOVE of the game mason thinks you should get $120,000.
this isnt about bagging Mason (cos he may have some altruistic motive behind his argument - which he'll 'clear up on thursday') but I remember when the silly money of superleague started one of the beliefs was that players were distancing themselves over the fans who go to see them. I have no doubt that some players deserve the money they get given what they give back to the game, but this elitism and greed is disgusting. yes they are very good at what they do, but how many of us would play for nothing to get the chance to play footy for a job?
we all know that if there was a salary cap increase it would just mean the higher paid players get paid even more.
Mason won't talk to chief executive
By Steve Mascord and Dean Ritchie
March 27, 2007
CONTROVERSIAL Bulldogs forward Willie Mason says he has no plans to hold talks with Matthew Rodwell despite the player association boss's attempts to contact him.
The Australia Test star dropped a bombshell at the weekend - saying players should consider striking during this year's State of Origin series if the salary cap is not increased. He also called the Rugby League Professionals Association "weak".
Rodwell was yesterday trying to speak to Mason about those comments, but Mason said he wouldn't hold talks.
"I don't have his number," Mason said.
The Bulldogs giant said he had received good feedback from fellow players over his calls for the cap to be significantly raised from its current level of $4 million and for tough tactics if that doesn't happen.
And Mason stepped up his attack last night - calling for the minimum wage for all NRL players to be increased to $120,000 a season.
"I've received plenty of support, yeah," he said.
"People have been good.
"But the club have asked me not to comment on it. I'm going to go on The Footy Show on Thursday and clear it all up a bit."
Mason said the emphasis on his call for industrial action as a last resort had been overplayed.
"It's been sort of taken out of context ... it's just that word 'strike'," he said.
"I'll clear it all up."
Rodwell said he had left messages with Mason in the hope of explaining to him in some detail the contents of the RLPA's collective bargaining agreement with the NRL.
But rather than hit back at Mason, Rodwell said the RLPA had to provide working conditions that the players wanted.
"We've been criticised and called things and we have to cop it sweet," Rodwell said.
"It's like playing footy, you have to respond to criticism with your performance.
"We have to go away and find a document that gives the players what they are happy with. I am confident, in my dealings with the NRL, that there is room to move in negotiations."
But having agreed on a new CBA with the NRL, and submitted it for approval to government departments, Rodwell admitted he had no idea what would happen if the players now voted against it.
"I don't know - we might have to go away and take advice or something like that," he said.
Asked if a higher cap was more likely as a result of Mason's outburst, Rodwell said: "There were a lot of people doing a lot of hard work before Willie said what he did."
Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr said players had been misinformed about the NRL's "new media deal" with Telstra worth $90 million.
One NRL source said yesterday: "The players think we are hiding some pot of gold. It's not there."
Carr denied Mason's strike threat would be used against the player in his stated ambition to be Australia skipper.
"Not from my point of view," Carr said.
"Willie just seems a little confused about the situation. He only saw the figures on a press release $90 million. Not the ins and outs that took place during negotiations.
"That money has been taken into consideration and budgeted for. Willie has to understand that.
"I think Willie was poorly advised when going to press.
"I like Willie and he is entitled to his open and democratic opinion. But he should have spoken to the RLPA about the negotiations first."
<A class=image href="http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/?from=ni_story"">
Share this article:
---------------
whats the average wage in Australia? I have a feeling it's between $40-$50,000 but if you're an average footballer who's doing it for the LOVE of the game mason thinks you should get $120,000.
this isnt about bagging Mason (cos he may have some altruistic motive behind his argument - which he'll 'clear up on thursday') but I remember when the silly money of superleague started one of the beliefs was that players were distancing themselves over the fans who go to see them. I have no doubt that some players deserve the money they get given what they give back to the game, but this elitism and greed is disgusting. yes they are very good at what they do, but how many of us would play for nothing to get the chance to play footy for a job?
we all know that if there was a salary cap increase it would just mean the higher paid players get paid even more.
