Professional Footballers Australia’s (PFA) A-League Delegates highlight the importance of the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations as the players seek improved implementation and enforcement of the CBA and reaffirm their commitment to pursuing a new agreement that ensures the competition fulfils its enormous potential.
Meeting via teleconference on Thursday, the Delegates’ Committee, which is made up of representatives from across the A-League, acts as workplace representatives of PFA members at their respective A-League clubs.
An integral part of the PFA’s extensive organising activities for 2014, the Delegates discussed the key issues facing the players and the sport in the lead up to negotiations with Football Federation Australia (FFA) on a new A-League CBA.
These included:
- Workplace health and safety;
- The implementation and enforcement of the current CBA;
- The importance of building a partnership between the clubs, FFA, the players and the PFA;
- CBA negotiating team construct; &
- Player development and wellbeing.
PFA Delegate and Western Sydney Wanderers Captain Nikolai Topor-Stanley said the meeting was another important step forward in the players’ pursuit of a truly world class workplace.
“The start of the A-League season has been hugely encouraging, as shown by attendances, TV Ratings and the standard on the pitch and further highlights the growth of the competition,” said the Socceroo. “For the players this is hugely satisfying as it demonstrates the effectiveness of the CBA in delivering significant benefits to all of the games stakeholders.
“However, whilst the players welcome this there remains a number of cases across the A-League where players are not having their entitlements under the CBA honoured. This should not be the case with the players consistently holding up their end of the bargain.
“The players are also eager to see the player development and wellbeing programs bolstered. We see these as vital in ensuring players can both make the most of their football careers and are prepared for life after football.”
Chairing the meeting was PFA Chief Executive Adam Vivian, who along with Special Counsel for the PFA, Brendan Schwab, will be one of the key negotiators.
“The conference was another opportunity to gain a further understanding of where we are at as a collective,” said Vivian. “The common theme of the discussions was the importance the players attach to the upcoming negotiations.
“The Delegates will continue to play an integral role in the pursuit of a new agreement that continues to deliver for all of the games stakeholders and ensures the wellbeing of Australian football.”
