The argument regarding the minimum wage to me is a strange one and the way I see it the players have the wrong "villain". The NRL, the business allocated the money to the clubs and the salary cap is set as a percentage of overall revenue, therefore it is fixed. They can bump up the minimum wage but it is simply taking money from other players in the roster, effectively taking money from the higher paid players. Like any business, there is only so much to go around.
Sounds like they might be slowly getting towards an agreement. It would be a real shame if there was a players strike, I think that could potentially not play out well in public opinion for the players.
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I think we may see some form of action the first week of trials. They only have a couple of days to finish negotiations. If the players still aren’t happy and don’t strike (after mentioning so many times) the NRL gains the power.
I understand the argument for more of a say and a representative at certain meetings. Having structures in place to support players who struggle post career makes sense as it’s a limited time profession so there’s a transitional period to a new career/life.
The minimum wage argument makes little sense. $120k is a good wage for someone starting out and 120-175 would be around what most of these guys would get if they weren’t playing footy. As 5150 said they’d just be taking money from other, most likely the guys in the middle wage wise.
If there’s so much money to go around I’d like to know when the NRL is going to start sending some of this funding into regional areas the heart of rugby league that’s dying a slow death.
Just can’t see the NRL letting it get that far. Too much importance on TV and the money they put into the game to let that happen. It’ll be sorted soon I’m confident of that but it shouldn’t have been left this late that’s for sure. And it’ll be great to have a CBA agreement that allows the NRLW players to make plans for their future.Sounds like they might be slowly getting towards an agreement. It would be a real shame if there was a players strike, I think that could potentially not play out well in public opinion for the players.
NRL players threaten action in pre-season games
NRL stars have threatened to delay the kick-off to pre-season challenge matches, cover NRL logos on jerseys and refuse to do any media if head office doesn’t meet a Thursday deadline for three key conditions of the collective bargaining agreement.
The Rugby League Players’ Association is threatening to take its protests to the summer tournament unless agreement is reached on a salary cap for the women’s game and other non-financial issues in the NRLW. The RLPA also wants autonomy over its own finances, which are currently controlled by the NRL.
In a message sent to players on Wednesday, the RLPA outlined the actions it was planning for this weekend if there wasn’t a breakthrough on certain parts of the long-running CBA negotiation.
The Warriors will host the Tigers in the first match of the pre-season challenge on Thursday night, with all nine games to be broadcast on Fox League.
The urgency of setting wages and conditions for the women’s competition has triggered the latest twist in the negotiations, with a text message between senior players on Wednesday agreeing further action would be taken unless there was a breakthrough by the end of Thursday.
Players have so far boycotted promotional appearances for NRL-aligned media and events, but the latest threat signals a significant escalation.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys and RLPA chief Clint Newton.Janie Barrett, Gettynone
The RLPA is also trying to take control of its own funding, with the issue being placed front and centre of negotiations between NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and players’ union boss Clint Newton. The pair met again on Wednesday.
So they have backed down from not playing the preseason games. Given the timing I wonder if our game will be unaffected and other games will have no logos or delayed kick offs.
All power to the RLPA, from my perspective. Stay strong. Demand better.
Genuine question: Is there any other industry where the employer directly pays the employees Union dues and it doesn’t come out of the employee’s wages?
@mike Yes, a couple of large Building Companies that have been beaten up by the Union and capitulated.
As far as Im concerned the NRL should call the Unions Bluff, withdraw the $3 million in funding and send each and every player a breach of Contract Notice, hold their pay, holds their Managers Commissions and it will be all over before it started. This is all about the RLPA, NOT its Members who on average earn anywhere from twice the average family income to 12 times a family income. Boys Get Real.
PS: If paid on performance, most of our players would be in deficit.
The Frog
Everyone should go and have a read of the RLPA website. Not that everything they are saying is right but remember that most of the info that we get about this is from who push the narrative where it suits their masters - the people who pay for the televising rights.
In regards to the player salaries, I would want to get paid a lot to do what they do too. If the players don't play then the NRL become irrelevant very quickly
@the-frog Thanks The Frog. Thought it would have to be in something like the Building Industry if there was. Never worked in those areas and never came across such arrangements before. The only ones I have first hand knowledge of is the person pays the dues themselves. Interesting arrangement. I wonder how many players would join the RLPA if they actually had to pay for it themselves.
@canberratiger I mean no offence, but just go and ask any player if they had to, would they play for half of what they get and the answer would be yes (except Joseph Sualli). They love the game, they don't do it for the money (except Joseph Sualli).
The Frog
@canberratiger I mean no offence, but just go and ask any player if they had to, would they play for half of what they get and the answer would be yes (except Joseph Sualli). They love the game, they don't do it for the money (except Joseph Sualli).
The Frog
No offence taken, mate.
I understand that they love it but ask a lot of the retired guys who weren't able to make a career from it afterwards (media etc) and they are usually quite broken. I think they should be looked after.
Most of the demands are quite reasonable. The NRL paying for the RLPA is a weird one though.
And as I said... as always remember the weasels doing the reporting have their own agenda
