NFLPA and NFL Agree to Mediators

[AwakenTheDemon]

Since they're going no where on their own, both sides have seeming agreed to undergo mediation in the negotiations for a new CBA. I'm hoping this is a precursor to a step in the right direction for getting something done soon to avoid any loss of play next season. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service will be the mediators for the meetings, the same group who was involved in '04-'05 NHL negotiations.

[u]Sources:[/u]
[url="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-nfllabor-mediation"]Yahoo & Associated Press[/url]
[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81e5b5fa/article/league-union-will-negotiate-for-seven-days-allow-mediation?module=HP_headlines"]NFL.com[/url]

[theFRANCHISE]

It took both sides that long to realize that mediators were probably the way to go? I would've thought the year-long stalemate during this past season was enough of an indication of that.

[kagejb]

Anything to help keep football next year. If it helps fix their problems, then I'm glad.

[AwakenTheDemon]

I suppose we should be lucky they realized mediation was the way to go at all.

[JO_75]

The other good thing is that they came to an agreement to is that they are going to meet for 7 days straight starting tomorrow to try to get something done. So now that they have agreed upon 2 things, mediation and meeting for 7 days maybe the next thing they agree upon is the CBA and there is Free Agency in March and the off-season goes like any other off-season.

What I never understood is the fact that they opted out of the current agreement like 2 years ago, and here we are facing a situation of a lockout and they are now just starting to talk. Why did they wait 2 years after opting out to start working on a new one?

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1297992588' post='641464']
The other good thing is that they came to an agreement to is that they are going to meet for 7 days straight starting tomorrow to try to get something done. So now that they have agreed upon 2 things, mediation and meeting for 7 days maybe the next thing they agree upon is the CBA and there is Free Agency in March and the off-season goes like any other off-season.

What I never understood is the fact that they opted out of the current agreement like 2 years ago, and here we are facing a situation of a lockout and they are now just starting to talk. Why did they wait 2 years after opting out to start working on a new one?
[/quote]

If they can't get a deal done, or close to a deal, after 7 straight days of negotiations, there's no way it's getting done before the deadline.

[K-Dog]

we should probably sticky a thread on the NFLPA / owners / CBA stuff.

I am just sayin...

[JO_75]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1297995552' post='641483']
If they can't get a deal done, or close to a deal, after 7 straight days of negotiations, there's no way it's getting done before the deadline.
[/quote]

Yeah I know. I say we just go and lock them into their meeting place and tell them the only way they can come out is if they have a new CBA done. In return, we'll give them sleeping bags and pillows to sleep.

I agree with K-Dog we should probably sticky a thread about the CBA.

[jus'_crAzy]

Why do I feel like this mediator is gonna need therapy next week?

[K-Dog]

[quote name='jus'_crAzy' timestamp='1297999203' post='641511']
Why do I feel like this mediator is gonna need therapy next week?
[/quote]


yeah I would have to pass on that job.

[JO_75]

Maybe he doesn't need therapy lol, apparently Labor Talks are going well after their 4th consecutive meeting.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/21/labor-talks-going-well-after-fourth-day/

[quote]“Things are going well,” said Batch via the Associated Press. “We’ll see how things progress over the coming days.”[/quote]

Hopefully things keep going well and there is some agreement done before March 3rd.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Now just think what could have been done if the two sides had agreed to mediation much earlier than last week.

[Token]

PFT reporting that today was a big day for progress

[quote]Coupled with the news that some sort of a breakthrough occurred on the fifth day of the talks, there’s reason for optimism as the deadline for getting a deal done approaches the single digits.[/quote]

[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/22/fifth-day-of-talks-a-big-day-for-progress/"]PFT Link[/url]

[George70]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1297995552' post='641483']
If they can't get a deal done, or close to a deal, after 7 straight days of negotiations, there's no way it's getting done before the deadline.
[/quote]

I tend to agree with you, Ferrari, there has to be some chance - now that a mediator has been called in - for a new agreement. Otherwise, I'll just have to depend on other forms of football.

[JO_75]

[quote name='Token' timestamp='1298416269' post='643799']
PFT reporting that today was a big day for progress



[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/22/fifth-day-of-talks-a-big-day-for-progress/"]PFT Link[/url]
[/quote]

GOOD! This is great news, and if they would have brought in a mediator and committed to 7 days straight we wouldn't be in this mess right now! A new season of NFL is looking closer and closer to reality.