Mr Dee

This shall be the hallmark of negotiations where the CFLPA, being shallow in experience, will be challenged to marshall their members to eliminate shallow threats and further their cause to be a sort of catchall to refer in future dealings. (this is by no means a statement that makes a whole lot of sense, but simply a reminder of who is no longer our backup QB….and who is.)

To me, it's not a union vs mgmt thing simply because it's the CFL. The CFL is much too fragile an entity to be playing chicken in a strike situation. I can't think of another institution that has the uniqueness of working together in the same workplace that is the CFL. I mean, who else has an import, non-import ratio in a sports environment? The CFLPA has to realize the limits as to how far they can push and work within that framework. It's not like they don't have enough historical info. to go on. Public sector and private sector working in the same league, with failures and successes, give them plenty of info. to work with. It's still a fragile league, IMO, and any victory and improvement that the CFLPA can get should be considered a win, especially considering where the league has been, several times, in the past 20 years.

I agree that they appear to be staggering. But just to be clear, they weren't ready with a counter-proposal, because on Wednesday that was their counter-proposal. The league hasn't changed their stance. The PA is going to have to come up with something new because revenue sharing just doesn't look like it's going to happen. Yeah, but that's what I was getting at. You're right, it's not like the league has been ambiguous in its answers regarding revenue sharing..and if the union hasn't been meeting with the express purpose of altering that stand, then I guess we're in for a knock out round of talks and not the sparring that should be going on right now. They should be trying to carve out as much of the pie as they can, because the sooner they admit this league is not a rich league, the better it will be for them.

This is basically a CFL player, who actually knows what is going on, and is honest in his answers…maybe too much so for the union's liking. But the union, who are focused on mailing ballots, should have already countered with a proposal to the league. Were they not ready with a counter-proposal? I mean, since Wednesday, and only silence? Maybe it's just me, but they seem to be staggering at this point.

So what would you like us to put on your grave stone?? WannabeWebmasterWindless.calm

So what would you like us to put on your grave stone?? "I thought that tingling sensation was my Spidey senses"

So if this merchandise is a big hit, does the CFLPA get 40% of the revenue? Probably be a good time to have a mock Superheroes vs SuperVillains merchandise sale and we fans can determine, through sales, which side they support!

Lots of times it doesn't. Goes ignored. See my second post above. Can't help but notice you didn't "do" as your second post says...

Not disputing what you said, but in what context? and before financials were done?

Seems simple, so I ask you this,,, this morning, I read and commented on an article about one of our own team members…Glenn January, and his comments. Then I return after 8 hours or so, to find no one seems to have read the article, or have incorporated into any outstanding threads. Comments such as these: "I've talked to the guys and there's a lot of guys very excited about seeing this process through," January said in a telephone interview Wednesday. "I don't think there's any question we will have a yes to a strike vote and I'd be surprised if it's not close to 90 per cent." He's one of our own, I would have though his comments were newsworthy and worth discussing.

Some random observations... -The players are failing to get the fans to see their point of view. -They have shown they want to be more militant by removing one leader for one who wants to stand more firm. -They have shown they know how to do math but the sheer reach of their ask just shows they want to play the game of negotiating more than the game of football. -The word bravado has been used in describing what the union is doing. That is accurate but shouldn't be a part of a description of one side in a negotiation. -If we lose a year,,,we lose the league, i don't see how some teams bounce back from that. -The statement from some players that they don't believe some teams lose money, is unbelievable in itself, and shows they know nothing of the going ons all around them. Either that or they're just not playing attention. -Half the teams are barely breaking even now ,,,how is that not acknowledged? Average salary is just that, average salary, of course there will be higher and lower, but how fast can a good player move up in the salary scheme? 2 years and he can get a substantial raise…tough eh? Start at 46 bump up to 50 or more in 2 short years. Owners know how negotiations work…players know how to use twitter…whoops, what's going on there? At the beginning, I was firmly in the player's corner, but gradually, they are doing/not doing enough to keep me on their side…I've sent out my pissed off notice.

I'd like to see us discussing stories so I'd be for whatever gets talk going in that section, Rich. It just seems like kind of a waste now which I think is too bad. I agree with this as I have seen many stories that are worthy of discussion, but because they are "an aside" they go without the proper discourse from the talented folks, here, on this site.

I have, in the past, posted there and because it's not connected to 'new content', it doesn't show up as recent content and, as mentioned, it gets ignored when posters don't visit that part of the board. (it's so far, far away) For instance, today Glenn January kinda spouts off in the Free Press and this is the content I replied with: Glenn January talks about the players being excited to "see this process through" and he feels that the players he's contacted will vote overwhelmingly in favour of a strike. He maintains that he will be surprised if they don't get close to 90% yes vote. Glenn January…be prepared to be surprised. Who does he believe he is threatening by making these kind of statements? And what kind of support does he think the fans will give them when they come out all hung ho to strike? It doesn't matter who fired the 1st volley, they should just shut up and get back to the bargaining table. To which Goalie replied: Does January think he's a Canadian now and not an easily replaceable import tackle? Perhaps we can respond here, in this thread?

They would have to waive the NI rule. And if they go replacement players do we do a replacement fan board with replacement posters? Do we start up a second-rate fan board? No,…..we already left one of those.

Sorry if I wasn't clear, but when I said their support is dwindling, I meant amongst the fans. The player's resolve may be tight, but they really have to be careful in how they gauge how far to push in their negotiations. I truly do appreciate the players and their positions and I want them to get a bigger share as well, but this is a sports league in a truly unique market. There is nothing like it to compare. Chest thumping won't work here and careful steps must be taken leading towards training camp starts. Losing games would be a horrible set back at this point in the CFL's history.

Slowly, based on comments I've seen and read and heard, the players' position is getting shakier and fans are getting nervous…and their support is dwindling. Raises, at close to 10%, is a tough point to argue against for the common fan. And this league is for the common fan. Can't afford to lose them. At least that's how I see it.

I can honestly see a good bump in the first year and then smaller increments every year of the new contract, but, if I understand the proposal, any attempt to tie gate revenue into blended sharing would be a terrible idea. Don't like it.

Are you sure you didn't get a Voltswagon?

Or, to put it another way, in a properly-made bed, (Martha Stewart-style) - he'd be the bottom Sheet.

Thanks anyways IC, but I have no interest, nor time to waste, following a twitter account where one jackass and another jackass are hee-hawing at one another. I've seen Korey's (with a K) sideline antics and I'm not impressed.

We got the rights to negotiate with Willy in trading '8-dogs' to Sask. I see it as a benefit to all involved.

Find a decent right tackle and I bet Morley becomes more 'average'.

Oh, do shut up Dave. Well, you do know what they call what he's doing…. Suitable for this thread title.

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