Patriots likely to vote to decertify the union

[Gwedd]

From the Boston Herald:

FOXBORO - NFL Players Association chief DeMaurice Smith plans to visit with the Patriots [team stats] on Monday, a perfect time for them to become the ninth team to vote to decertify the union.

Left tackle Matt Light [stats], the Pats’ player representative, told the Herald the plan is to hold the vote “soon,” which would presumably be the day after tomorrow’s Bills game.

Light has no doubts that the outcome will be unanimously in favor of decertification.

Story here:

Team likely to decertify Monday - BostonHerald.com

Going to be an interesting fall, that's for sure.

 

[aurakilla]

Re: Patriots Likely To Vote To Decertify Union

what does decertifying mean exactly?

 

[VJCPatriot]

Re: Patriots Likely To Vote To Decertify Union

This is why they are doing it:
"The NFL Players Association has begun handing out voting cards that would allow players to authorize the decertification of the union, a move that could prevent the NFL from locking players out when the collective-bargaining agreement expires in March."

And more to the point:
If the NFLPA were to decertify, it would, in effect, operate as a trade organization but cease to be a union. If the league then tried to lock out players, the NFLPA could sue the NFL under U.S. antitrust laws and contend the league was conducting a group boycott, which is illegal. It could not sue the NFL if it remained a union with collective-bargaining authority for its members, under the labor exemption to antitrust laws.

Source:
Union seeks authority to decertify

 

[WhiteWesWelker88]

Re: Patriots Likely To Vote To Decertify Union

what does decertifying mean exactly?

basically discredit, not recognize it essentially means they are against it.....




I agree.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Re: Patriots Likely To Vote To Decertify Union

basically discredit, not recognize it essentially means they are against it.....

Incorrect. Read the above posts. The players are decertifying the union as a move to prevent a lockout in 2011.

 

[Gwedd]

Re: Patriots Likely To Vote To Decertify Union

It's a very smart move on the player's part.

 

[loloooooooooooo]

Re: Patriots Likely To Vote To Decertify Union

An NFL Union is pretty dumb anyway, they aren't construction workers who struggle to make a dollar... Got a problem in the league, talk to Goodell like a man

 

[Aßßynormal]

Re: Patriots Likely To Vote To Decertify Union

This is why they are doing it:
"The NFL Players Association has begun handing out voting cards that would allow players to authorize the decertification of the union, a move that could prevent the NFL from locking players out when the collective-bargaining agreement expires in March."

And more to the point:
If the NFLPA were to decertify, it would, in effect, operate as a trade organization but cease to be a union. If the league then tried to lock out players, the NFLPA could sue the NFL under U.S. antitrust laws and contend the league was conducting a group boycott, which is illegal. It could not sue the NFL if it remained a union with collective-bargaining authority for its members, under the labor exemption to antitrust laws.

Source:
Union seeks authority to decertify

They're handing out cards. BS. No wonder it's been unaminous on the other teams.

 

[Phokus]

Re: Patriots Likely To Vote To Decertify Union

An NFL Union is pretty dumb anyway, they aren't construction workers who struggle to make a dollar... Got a problem in the league, talk to Goodell like a man

Goodell looks after the owner's best interests, not the players.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

How many have to vote against it to win the decertification?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I am sick of all of this bullsheet between players and owners in all of the profesional sports leagues.

These men are professional athletes, and owners, and are all millionaires or billionaires, etc.... and havent got a clue what the real world is all about.

The players have unions, and associations, and the owners whould be allowed to band together too for equal footing on both sides of the ball.

That being said, in either case, the time has come for the one group that it all matters to, to the ones who'se hard earned dollars pay for all of these apoiled little freaking brat athletes, their salaries, and everythign else that they and the owners get. while the fans get hosed up the arse.....

Nationwide, with the advent of the electronic communication device known as "the internet" the time has come for the FAN, nationwide, for onece and for all, to bond together in a natiionwide show of unity and threaten, and I do mean really threaten, a total boycott of all professional sporting events and anything associated with it, until reality of life sinks in and these spoiled millionaires and billionaires finally get it, WE, THE FANS, we are in charge, our dollars are in charge.

I honestly believe that it could be done on the internet. It would, of course, take some capital so there would have to be a nationwide fund established, all legal, etc...to get this off the ground.

I can not do it because I have limitations, but I am sure that there are those that have the time, the finances, and the ability to get it done. A FAN BOYCOTT OF ALL PROFESSIONAL SPORTING EVENTS.....NATIONWIDE..IT CAN BE DONE. IT SHOULD BE DONE.

And no, I am not off my rocker. I have all of my faculties. At least, most of them

OK Goodbye!!!

 

[Pewsterbaby]

I am sick of all of this bullsheet between players and owners in all of the profesional sports leagues.

These men are professional athletes, and owners, and are all millionaires or billionaires, etc.... and havent got a clue what the real world is all about.

The players have unions, and associations, and the owners whould be allowed to band together too for equal footing on both sides of the ball.

That being said, in either case, the time has come for the one group that it all matters to, to the ones who'se hard earned dollars pay for all of these apoiled little freaking brat athletes, their salaries, and everythign else that they and the owners get. while the fans get hosed up the arse.....

Nationwide, with the advent of the electronic communication device known as "the internet" the time has come for the FAN, nationwide, for onece and for all, to bond together in a natiionwide show of unity and threaten, and I do mean really threaten, a total boycott of all professional sporting events and anything associated with it, until reality of life sinks in and these spoiled millionaires and billionaires finally get it, WE, THE FANS, we are in charge, our dollars are in charge.

I honestly believe that it could be done on the internet. It would, of course, take some capital so there would have to be a nationwide fund established, all legal, etc...to get this off the ground.

I can not do it because I have limitations, but I am sure that there are those that have the time, the finances, and the ability to get it done. A FAN BOYCOTT OF ALL PROFESSIONAL SPORTING EVENTS.....NATIONWIDE..IT CAN BE DONE. IT SHOULD BE DONE.

And no, I am not off my rocker. I have all of my faculties. At least, most of them

ya r so off yer rocker, but I was bored sh*tless surfing this board right now and was happy I came across this up there, so thanks for the comic relief.

p.s.- That "Off The Grid" guy is a real gooney too.

 

[voluntarysaftey]

Why would the union be encouraging their players to decertify?

If that happens, then doesn't the minimum salary go away?
As does restricted free agency?

If there's no collective agreement, then rookies would be able to sign with whomever they want (regardless of if a draft takes place).

And I'm not sure if a salary cap would still be allowed.

Am I not understanding the implications of not having a union or a collective agreement?

 

[Patriot Missile]

The players and the union are a bunch of cowards. So you decertify the union and then promptly restore the union to glory once you get your way? Some people will call it smart but I will call it sneaky and trying to work the system that is in place.

 

[Pats726]

Re: Patriots Likely To Vote To Decertify Union

An NFL Union is pretty dumb anyway, they aren't construction workers who struggle to make a dollar... Got a problem in the league, talk to Goodell like a man

While it is the NFLPA...it's NOT really like a union..more like a guild..at least one who knew the differences told me many years ago. It doesn't relate to "unions" that many used to belong to in days past. SO in fact an association..a guild more than a union..although with collective bargaining and all..acting like a very small specialized union.

 

[aurakilla]

sooo if they decertify the union does this mean football next year no matter what ?

 

[Va_Pats_Fan]

Why would the union be encouraging their players to decertify?

If that happens, then doesn't the minimum salary go away?
As does restricted free agency?

If there's no collective agreement, then rookies would be able to sign with whomever they want (regardless of if a draft takes place).

And I'm not sure if a salary cap would still be allowed.

Am I not understanding the implications of not having a union or a collective agreement?

It gives them leverage. decertification is the unions big hammer. Since they are an organized union they can be locked out legally by the league. However, if they are not a union, and the league locks them out, its against the anti trust laws. This would allow individual lawsuits by players against owners (which they would probably win).

The union and players ~want~ a collective agreement. So do the owners. Problem is, like most things, they can't agree. The union would do this in hopes of getting the owners to concede some points vs facing lawsuits.

 

[Gwedd]

It gives them leverage. decertification is the unions big hammer. Since they are an organized union they can be locked out legally by the league. However, if they are not a union, and the league locks them out, its against the anti trust laws. This would allow individual lawsuits by players against owners (which they would probably win).

The union and players ~want~ a collective agreement. So do the owners. Problem is, like most things, they can't agree. The union would do this in hopes of getting the owners to concede some points vs facing lawsuits.

This. Keep in mind that the NFL is given a lot of leeway vis-a-vis anti-trust laws in order to keep the teams together and operate under one umbrella. That means that there isn't the same sort of union/management relationship as you would have elsewhere in the private sector. It's a different beast, so the rules are a bit different too.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I am sick of all of this bullsheet between players and owners in all of the profesional sports leagues.

These men are professional athletes, and owners, and are all millionaires or billionaires, etc.... and havent got a clue what the real world is all about.

The players have unions, and associations, and the owners whould be allowed to band together too for equal footing on both sides of the ball.

That being said, in either case, the time has come for the one group that it all matters to, to the ones who'se hard earned dollars pay for all of these apoiled little freaking brat athletes, their salaries, and everythign else that they and the owners get. while the fans get hosed up the arse.....

Nationwide, with the advent of the electronic communication device known as "the internet" the time has come for the FAN, nationwide, for onece and for all, to bond together in a natiionwide show of unity and threaten, and I do mean really threaten, a total boycott of all professional sporting events and anything associated with it, until reality of life sinks in and these spoiled millionaires and billionaires finally get it, WE, THE FANS, we are in charge, our dollars are in charge.

I honestly believe that it could be done on the internet. It would, of course, take some capital so there would have to be a nationwide fund established, all legal, etc...to get this off the ground.

I can not do it because I have limitations, but I am sure that there are those that have the time, the finances, and the ability to get it done. A FAN BOYCOTT OF ALL PROFESSIONAL SPORTING EVENTS.....NATIONWIDE..IT CAN BE DONE. IT SHOULD BE DONE.

And no, I am not off my rocker. I have all of my faculties. At least, most of them

:blahblah::blahblah::blahblah::help:

 

[Va_Pats_Fan]

This. Keep in mind that the NFL is given a lot of leeway vis-a-vis anti-trust laws in order to keep the teams together and operate under one umbrella. That means that there isn't the same sort of union/management relationship as you would have elsewhere in the private sector. It's a different beast, so the rules are a bit different too.

Not really. The league has a very limited anti trust exemption that deals with TV contracts (see Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961) . They actually just lost a case at the supreme court to get a broader exemption for marketing of licensed products.

As far as the anti trust laws for labour, etc, they are fully subject to the law.