NRL season under strike cloud while CBA talks drag on
Peter V’landys has shown in the past few years he is a man who usually gets what he wants, or at least what he sets out to achieve.
He has managed to lift the profile of NSW thoroughbred racing to new heights, and he was a big player in keeping the NRL on the field during the days when COVID threatened to ground the game.
But his latest battle with the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) over the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is proving harder to resolve and the deadlock is posing a serious threat to the 2023 NRL season kicking off in a few weeks.
As each day drags on – and they have been dragging on now since last November, when talks first began for a new agreement – strike action becomes a serious possibility for the RLPA.
V’landys is used to winning, but in this instance he has a real fight on his hands.
The players are using threats of a snap strike as a gambling chip, because, without them, there is no game, regardless of ridiculous suggestions of bringing athletes from other countries in as strikebreakers.
It has the potential to delay the start of the 2023 season, and if the players really want to make a point, strike action during State of Origin would be disastrous for those running the game.
Player lockouts in sports are not uncommon, especially in the USA, and cricketers found themselves locked out for several months in 2017.
The general feeling is players would be against taking action that punishes their fans and hurts the game, but feelings are running so high it could be their last ace in the deck.
The CBA negotiations involve issues such as the salary cap – which has already been increased – but the sticking point surrounds a whole range of working conditions for players, especially player insurance and post-career medical and financial support.
Some very senior players have spoken out declaring the RLPA is totally united in its stance to protect its members and that, if necessary, they will strike.
Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco has voiced his opinions to his 175,000 Instagram supporters, while others – including Brisbane’s Kurt Capewell, Melbourne’s Christian Welch, Paramatta’s Shaun Lane, and Canberra teammates Josh Papali’i and Joseph Tapine – have been quoted extensively as saying they will take whatever action is necessary to force the NRL Commission’s hand.
The RLPA was enraged and felt disrespected that it was not consulted or involved in the salary cap process, claiming it was not in the best interest of collective bargaining.
It also claimed that lack of cooperation damaged the trust between the players and the game’s governing body, therefore setting back negotiations even further.
Then, just last week, the RLPA was shocked to learn an NRL executive had secretly taped parts of a private meeting during a League Leaders meeting involving NRL heavy Andrew Abdo.
Conditions of the meeting were that there was to be no filming or recording, in order to guarantee an open and honest discussion between all parties in attendance.
“The deliberate and covert nature of the recording is breathtaking,” commented RLPA chief executive Clint Newton, adding his association gives a lot of consideration to its options given the seriousness of the breach.
V’landys’ response was to promise he would investigate the matter and get back to the RLPA.
Given the medical evidence which is now available and the number of former players who are now dealing with injuries and illnesses linked to their playing days, the RLPA is seeking to improve conditions for members.
Currently, retired players have 12 months to have surgeries or treatment for injuries suffered during their careers – a timeframe which, given updated medical data, falls short of the kind of medical support its members require once they retire.
Time is running out in this negotiating game.
But the RLPA has the ball and the field position, and it is going to go to golden point.
