Who read Mr Goulds column in last Sundays Herald? This bloke just doesnt let up he is now using his position with the paper (The very thing he accuses News Limited of doing to him). to take snide pot shots at Tony Butterfields efforts with the RLPA to get better conditions for the players.
He starts out by telling us all in usual I know everything manner, That the agreement isnt good enough. He complains that the NRL havent guaranteed the players payments in the event of a club going belly up all theyve done is promised to hold back the clubs $2.5 million, surely thats a step in the right direction, its certainly better than the players from the defunct Northern Eagles club got. What does Mr Gould suggest as an alternative? NOTHING. Then he moves on to a piece in it about the players having to abide by the NRL rules, What does he expect? Most if not all work place agreements have similar clauses inserted in them along with no strike clauses. Sorry Phil baby youve been in the privileged society for too long, get out into the real working mans world and see what its really all about in the workplace. Phil is baffled that the NRL will sit down with the RPLA and discuss the CBA, without the players association being able to tell them how many members it has. Again Phil So What? That is common in todays workplace, not all employees are union members, but they still work to the same agreements that unionists do. Reading through the story there is not one positive suggestion coming from Gould, plenty of criticism, but no suggestions on how to fix the vital areas he sees as important. Then again as I read through the article a second time, good old Phil doesnt really suggest that there are any important areas that need addressing. He criticises the association for asking and getting the NRL to consider initial funding for them, well if the NRL dont initially do it who will Phil? You? True the players would have to pay fees but the association is just getting off the ground, if the NRL want to give them money why not? The story is purely aimed at taking cheap shots at Butterfield, (he even states that he doesnt care who runs the players association, knowing full well that we all know who does, and therefore who hes talking about)Butterfield might not be everyones cup of tea, but at least hes having a go, not sitting in the background rubbishing somebody who is. By the way Phil the taxation dept can check our bankbooks anytime they want, whats the difference? Unless you have something to hide theres nothing to worry about. So there we have it they are Phils earth shattering concerns!!!! that he claims Butterfield is duping the players with. Then just to round off the article, he has a go at the confidentiality of the NRL, and how things are leaked from them like a sieve, Wonder what hes referring to there? Sorry Phil, for a bloke whos the be all and end all of everything football, that article shows just how negative you can be.
