NFL Players Association Strengthens Ties With Major Unions As It Tries To “Block The Lockout”

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/Channels/Story.aspx?ID=1312040

11/15/2010
By Doug Cunningham

: “While we continue to talk with the league about possible fair deals and things of that nature, we still believe that a lockout is coming unfortunately. And it’s gotten to the point now where we as a union, as players and as fans frankly need to do everything we can to prevent it.”

NFL players face a lockout next season if they can’t reach an agreement with owners on a collective bargaining agreement. NFL Player’s Association Executive Director of the NFLPA George Atallah says if a lockout happens, NFL communities nationwide will lose an average of $150 million. Atallah says fans should understand players are not trying to grab more money.

: “This is not players initiating any kind of aggressive action. This is about players wanting to preserve a system that’s been wildly successful.”

Atallah says the NFL players association is strengthening its relationships with America’s major unions as it attempts to “Block The Lockout”. NFL Player’s Association President Kevin Mawae says NFL owners are threatening to lock players out unless owners can get roughly a billion dollars more per year.

: “It speaks to greed, it speaks to more than just fair business, it
just speaks to wantin’ to pad more pocketbooks. It’s that and taking power away from the players.”

Mawae says while players are well paid, the majority of NFL players make less than a million dollars a year and have careers that average just three years. He says heath care is a critical issue for players. And as the player’s union tries to reach agreement with owners it’s having to deal with issues common to all unions.

By Doug Cunningham

: “While we continue to talk with the league about possible fair deals and things of that nature, we still believe that a lockout is coming unfortunately. And it’s gotten to the point now where we as a union, as players and as fans frankly need to do everything we can to prevent it.”

NFL players face a lockout next season if they can’t reach an agreement with owners on a collective bargaining agreement. NFL Player’s Association Executive Director of the NFLPA George Atallah says if a lockout happens, NFL communities nationwide will lose an average of $150 million. Atallah says fans should understand players are not trying to grab more money.

: “This is not players initiating any kind of aggressive action. This is about players wanting to preserve a system that’s been wildly successful.”

Atallah says the NFL players association is strengthening its relationships with America’s major unions as it attempts to “Block The Lockout”. NFL Player’s Association President Kevin Mawae says NFL owners are threatening to lock players out unless owners can get roughly a billion dollars more per year.

: “It speaks to greed, it speaks to more than just fair business, it
just speaks to wantin’ to pad more pocketbooks. It’s that and taking power away from the players.”

Mawae says while players are well paid, the majority of NFL players make less than a million dollars a year and have careers that average just three years. He says heath care is a critical issue for players. And as the player’s union tries to reach agreement with owners it’s having to deal with issues common to all unions.

[Skink]

1. We need universal health care.