Nathan Cleary's threat to NRL amid ugly pay stoush: 'Prepared to do it'
The NRL has been warned that strike action is still on the table, despite some positive moves in negotiations.
Despite bering some optimism that the NRL and players can reach common ground before the start of the season, Nathan Cleary says players are prepared not to play if new joint CBA is not reached. The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) has been working with the NRL on a joint agreement for NRL and NRLW players.
Tensions were eased somewhat last week, with players backing down from a threat to boycott the opening weekend of pre-season trial matches thanks to positive developments in negotiations. However an agreement is yet to be reached and Cleary, a Panthers delegate to the RLPA, says much remains to be worked out before round one can be guaranteed.
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An in-principle agreement of terms for NRLW players was reached last week, but negotiations are on going for the mens competition. Cleary insisted neither the players nor the NRL wanted industrial action to affect the season, but added that negotiations would continue until the players earned their 'fair share'.
Despite the now three-month delay in getting the new agreement in place, solid progress on the NRLW side of things has been achieved, with increases to the salary cap, establishing a minimum wage for players and a detailed pregnancy policy all agreed to in-principle. Cleary though, said there was still 'middle ground' to be reached between the NRL players and the ARLC.
"It was really good to see the women's CBA sorted out. They were obviously in a tough position where they didn't have one, so to get that all done is really positive," Cleary said.
"We’re prepared to sit out games. It’s obviously not something we want to do (because) it’s robbing the fans of what they want to see. In saying that, it’s something we’re prepared to do to get our fair share.
“I think it’s just about the NRL coming to the party and wanting to find that middle ground where we can have that fair share. At the moment, unfortunately, it hasn’t happened yet so we’ll have to wait and see.”
Union still negotiating player deal with NRL as season approaches
While the union is willing to accept the NRL's total $1.347 billion financial offer, it remains unhappy with the lack of control it has over the included $113 million in funds for programs and benefits. The union is still calling for rights on matters such as the size of player fines and season structure.
Players also want to assess if enough progress has been made before deciding whether to take action in pre-season challenge matches this weekend by delaying kick offs and covering NRL logos. In a statement on Thursday, the RLPA claimed the publication of the NRL's offer did not help any deal being finalised.
"There is still much more work to do as we continue to negotiate a joint CBA for NRLW and NRL players which captures all their terms and conditions," the statement said.
"We will continue to negotiate on key areas important to players, including RLPA autonomy and agreement rights on core terms and conditions.
"The RLPA's counter-proposal, which does not request any additional money from the ARL Commission, is still before the NRL and is capable of acceptance."
NRL boss Andrew Abdo met with players at a leadership conference convened by the RLPA a fortnight ago in a bid to get the stalled negotiations moving again, on the proviso that no details of the meeting were to be kept. However during that meeting, Melbourne Storm centre Justin Olam reportedly spotted an NRL executive accompanying Abdo attempting to record conversations on her phone.
The NRL executive, who briefly attempted to hide the recording, was asked to leave before the meeting continued. Afterwards, RLPA chair Diedre Anderson emailed Australian Rugby League Commission boss Peter V'landys to register the union's displeasure with what they believed amounted to subterfuge.
with AAP
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