Pay wrangle is all about little guys
THE collective bargaining agreement negotiations isn’t about players wanting more money.
But the guaranteed share of revenue we’re fighting for will encourage and motivate players to help promote and grow the game.
In that situation if the game loses money, then the players are losing money.
We’re happy to take that on board and back ourselves to help promote the game the right way.
A lot of fans may view the talks between the Rugby League Player’s Association and the NRL as players wanting more cash, because stars like Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston have been vocal throughout the negotiations.
They see it as those high profile players looking out for themselves, but their pay packet probably won’t change too much.
It’s about the guys on the bottom tier of the salary cap who don’t have a voice.
Smith and JT are using their profiles to help them.
The players outside the top 25 squad often don’t know where they sit in the overall picture from year to year, and some players are only in the NRL for a short time.
A big part of the talks is ensuring those players get a good head start in their careers and making sure they’re getting looked after financially.
It’s about having a fair outcome for both sides, and we want to work with the NRL.
We don’t want it to be players versus the NRL. It’s about having a fair outcome for both sides and working together to grow the game.
Since Ian Prendergast became CEO of the RLPA he has made a huge difference and the players have never been more united.
They’ve painted a very clear picture about what they think is fair, and we agree.
A sticking point in the negotiations has been the players’ reluctance to disclose our bank and phone records for integrity investigations.
I’m sure that the NRL have their reasons why they want to do that.
But at the end of the day away from rugby league we’re people as well, and we deserve to have that privacy. I don’t think it’s necessary at all. I haven’t got anything to hide but I’m sure anyone of any occupation, if that was asked of them they probably wouldn’t feel comfortable doing it, and we’re the same.
Tonight’s clash against the Wests Tigers is obviously crucial for our finals hopes, but despite losing four on the trot the vibe is still good within the group. If anything it has brought us closer together and we’re confident with a few key players returning we can turn things around at Campbelltown.