Tensions thaw between NRL and RLPA, boycotts end

March 25, 2023 04:15 PM AEDT | By AAPNEWS
Follow us on Google News:

Tensions between the NRL and Rugby League Players Association have thawed after the union ended a player boycott of NRL promotions.

Days after the RLPA sent an email to players suggesting more industrial action could be on the cards, union bosses met with ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys on Friday.

AAP has been told significant progress was made on a number of key topics and the game is inching closer to peace.

When a deal is finally reached, it will end long-running negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement that is now five months overdue.

The latest development means players are unlikely to decide to take industrial action in round five, which could have included covering NRL logos and delaying the kick off to games.

Instead, the RLPA has ended a boycott of promotions. 

Players have boycotted a number of NRL events in the past two months, including the launch of multicultural round earlier this month.

Journalists from NRL.com are now welcome to speak to players after matches for the first time in more than two months.

It comes after a reporter from the league's website was removed from a press conference two weeks ago by club staff, who claimed a player did not want them in there.

The protracted talks between the NRL and RLPA had left a number of players in limbo, in particular the game's women's stars who are unable to sign contracts for this year.

The long wait for terms in NRLW contracts to be finalised have already cost one player their salary for this year, after rookie Tayla Curtis ruptured her ACL in a NSWRL match.

Curtis had verbally agreed to a two-year deal with the Dragons as she waited for the contracting window to open, but her injury means that is no longer on the table.

Also yet to be sorted are terms for minimum-wage men's players, and the NRL's push for a transfer window to stop players signing with new clubs a year in advance.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said on Saturday he believed the deal was close to being finalised.

"It's been a complicated and long process, and it is drawing to a close," Abdo said on ABC.

"We had a really positive week this week. 

"I think we are getting hopefully close to announcing the first ever women's CBA, and the men's CBA together all as one. And I think that will happen soon."


Disclaimer

The content, including but not limited to any articles, news, quotes, information, data, text, reports, ratings, opinions, images, photos, graphics, graphs, charts, animations and video (Content) is a service of Kalkine Media Pty Ltd (Kalkine Media, we or us), ACN 629 651 672 and is available for personal and non-commercial use only. The principal purpose of the Content is to educate and inform. The Content does not contain or imply any recommendation or opinion intended to influence your financial decisions and must not be relied upon by you as such. Some of the Content on this website may be sponsored/non-sponsored, as applicable, but is NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold the stocks of the company(s) or engage in any investment activity under discussion. Kalkine Media is neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice through this platform. Users should make their own enquiries about any investments and Kalkine Media strongly suggests the users to seek advice from a financial adviser, stockbroker or other professional (including taxation and legal advice), as necessary. Kalkine Media hereby disclaims any and all the liabilities to any user for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising from any use of the Content on this website, which is provided without warranties. The views expressed in the Content by the guests, if any, are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Kalkine Media. Some of the images/music that may be used on this website are copyright to their respective owner(s). Kalkine Media does not claim ownership of any of the pictures displayed/music used on this website unless stated otherwise. The images/music that may be used on this website are taken from various sources on the internet, including paid subscriptions or are believed to be in public domain. We have used reasonable efforts to accredit the source wherever it was indicated as or found to be necessary.



We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. OK