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Pay war could end in days after ‘positive’ NRL-RLPA meeting
By Adrian Proszenko
August 9, 2023 — 5.56pm
There are hopes that a collective bargaining agreement could be finalised by the end of the week after breakthrough talks were held between the NRL and the players’ union.
The Rugby League Players’ Association and the NRL spent most of Wednesday in talks, the first time the parties have been at the negotiating table in months. NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys, RLPA chief executive Clint Newton, RLPA chairman Deidre Anderson and other representatives from both sides spent five hours thrashing out the sticking points.
The stakeholders are scheduled to meet again on Thursday, raising hopes that the long-running dispute could soon be resolved.
“It was a very positive meeting,” V’landys said. “If that continues, which I’m confident it will, we will come to a resolution.”
The RLPA, which initially pushed for an industrial relations mediator to settle the dispute, was contacted for comment.
Negotiations, which have been ongoing for 20 months, had ground to a halt before Wednesday. The RLPA tried to kick-start talks again by limiting the players’ interaction with the media and covering up the NRL logo during games, although the latter action lasted just one round of football.
The union also released a video on the weekend in which star men’s and women’s players said they stood united in fighting for their rights.
“The current terms and conditions expire in three months, leaving the whole industry vulnerable,” various players said during their “Stand With Us” video.
“Players are people too; we deserve to be treated with respect. The NRL and clubs should want a completed CBA and the protection it provides for not only the players, but the entire industry.
“They say we aren’t informed. We are. They say we’re not united. We are.”
The contentious issues include the length of the season, autonomy over union funding and digital rights.
The progress made on Wednesday could avert threats to boycott the Dally M awards or to delay the start of the next pre-season.
Few of the remaining issues revolve around financial matters after the NRL announced players would receive $1.35 billion in total player payments from 2023 to 2027. That figure represents a 37.4 per cent increase on the five-year deal that is about to expire.
A resolution to the dispute will also remove a cloud over Test football at the end of the season, given there are plans for a tri-series between Australia, New Zealand and Samoa, as well as another tournament between PNG, Fiji and Cook Islands.
The NRL is hoping that a deal can be done so it can turn its attention to beginning the 2024 season in Las Vegas.
PR will give a glowing report on PVL
Let’s hope Clint can keep that ego in check for a few days
I know lot of players that are paid and not represented by the rlpa.
wwos.nine.com.au
www.foxsports.com.au
A fantastic leader
