Players’ union files grievance against CFL

TORONTO The CFL Players’ Association has filed a grievance against the CFL related to player safety and rehabilitation.

The claim alleges the league and its member clubs “have chosen not to act on their obligation to care for CFL players who sustain longterm injuries on the field, despite their responsibility to do so.”

In a letter dated Sunday to Stephen Shamie, the CFL’s legal representative, the CFLPA added it filed the grievance on behalf of all current and former players it has represented.

The union contends it’s incumbent upon the CFL to warn its players “of the risk and dangers of injuries, to inform them of safety concerns and to properly compensate players who sustain injuries,” while they’re employed by clubs. The CFLPA alleged the CFL “failed in their duties to the players.”

The CFLPA asked an arbitrator to fully compensate players “injured as a result of the respondent’s failures and negligence,” with “damages and interest where appropriate.” It also requested the implementation of policy and rule changes aimed at the reduction of injury as well as coverage under provincial workers’ compensation plans.

The move comes less than a week after the Supreme Court of Canada said it won’t hear former CFL player Arland Bruce III’s concussion lawsuit against the league and former commissioner Mark Cohon.

That decision came after two B.C. courts dismissed the suit, saying the Supreme Court previously ruled unionized employees must use labour arbitration and not the courts to resolve disputes that arise from their collective agreement.

Bruce’s lawyers argued the CFL’s collective agreement is unusual because athletes individually negotiate their pay, have no longterm disability insurance plan, are excluded from occupational health and safety regulations and are not entitled to workers’ compensation.