The Ottawa Redblacks players went to the field at Carleton University on Wednesday morning for an informal practice. Almost the entire team took part in the session, which served as a union meeting with representatives of the players.
Canadian Football League (CFL) teams have been on strike since Sunday because players did not agree with leaders for the renewal of the collective agreement.
I think we owe it to our fans to be prepared if we get back on the field and get in shape. At the same time, we are on strike and we have to hold our own against it. It’s embarrassing what’s happening, but we’re confident we’ll find a solution.explanation of defensive back Antoine Pruneau, who represents his colleagues in the Players Association (CFLPA).
” Our last salary was in November. Hard for men. But we have a great unit so far. We don’t ask for the moon, just what comes back to us. “
The conversations have almost stopped by now. The two parties will only negotiate through a mediator.
But most of all the League’s attitude towards its players angered the athletes, Antoine Pruneau lamented.
The arrogance of the League is what puts us on strike. We received a poor offer two weeks ago and a slightly improved offer before the camps opened. She’s nowhere near enough for us. They try to push it down our throats. This is unacceptable and we will continue to fight for our playerscontinued Pruneau.
After a lost season in 2020 due to the pandemic and another shortened last year, the CFL there is really no way to isolate supporters of the labor dispute. The barriers are many, but the discussions are largely dependent on the changing ratio of Canadian players and the increase in the salary cap that does not meet the members of the CFLPA.
Randy Ambrosie (the league’s commissioner) said in February that we were partners and we would work together. Why tell us that if he doesn’t apply it? We don’t want to commit seven years if we don’t have a guarantee for our playerssaid Pruneau, remembering that CFLPA requested that after the next convention 30 days before a season, to avoid a situation similar to the one currently existing.
Over the past few days, Ambrosie has directly addressed the players in an open letter. Our offer is for a real partnership with you, our talented players who work hard and care about the CFL. It offers partially guaranteed contracts, the first in our historymentioned by the commissioner, before explaining the other points of the offer.
The last strike in the CFL began in 1974. The first CFL preseason game is scheduled for Monday in Saskatchewan. Each passing day makes the possibility of a normal start of the season more uncertain.
Source: Radio-Canada
