NFL files complaint against union

Tuesday, February 15 2011

The NFL filed a formal complaint with the National Labor Relations Board on Monday charging that the league's Players Association has not been bargaining in good faith. This article was written by Sean Leahy and appeared in USA Today.

The complaint alleged that the NFLPA has been using "surface bargaining" as the sides prepare for the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement after March 3.

The NFL charged that the union has been intent on decertifying and alleged that the NFLPA has engaged in "tactics designed to avoid reaching an agreement before the CBA expires so that it can file antitrust litigation."
But the union dismissed the NFL's claim in a statement.

"The players didn't walk out and the players can't lock out," the union said. "Players want a fair, new and long-term deal. We have offered proposals and solutions on every issue the owners have raised. This claim has absolutely no merit."

The NFL claimed the union's bargaining strategy was "a ploy and an unlawful subversion of the collective bargaining process."

The sides have been bickering in recent weeks and met last week in formal bargaining sessions. If no new deal is reached before the CBA expires, the owners could impose a lockout.

The NFL's move to the NLRB could be the latest strategic move as the sides gird for what could be a protracted battle both at the bargaining table and potentially in courts this year.