U.S. women get new contract
WORLD CUP CHAMPS: National players reach deal with U.S. Soccer
The World Cup champion U.S. women’s soccer team has a new labour contract, settling a dispute in which the players sought equitable wages to their male counterparts.
The agreement with the U.S. Soccer Federation runs through 2021, meaning the players will be under contract through the 2019 World Cup in France and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The women will receive raises in base pay and bonuses as well as better provisions for travel and accommodations.
“We are proud of the hard work and commitment to thoughtful dialogue reflected through this process, and look forward to strengthening our partnership moving forward,” U.S. Soccer and the players’ association said in a joint statement.
The deal comes as the national team is preparing to play an exhibition match against Russia on Thursday in Frisco, Texas.
The agreement was ratified by the players and the federation’s board Tuesday. The team had been playing under a memorandum of understanding that expired Dec. 31.
It also comes before the start of the National Women’s Soccer League season April 15. U.S. Soccer pays the wages of the national team players allocated across the domestic league, and the terms of those salaries are outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.
“I’m proud of the tireless work that the players and our bargaining team put in to promote the game and ensure a bright future for American players,” player representative Meghan Klingenberg said in a statement.
A group of players drew attention to the fight for a better contract a year ago when they filed a complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that alleged wage discrimination. The women maintained that players for the men’s national team earned far more than they did in many cases despite comparable work.
Talks stalled late last year when the players split with the union’s executive director. They picked up again in the last two months after U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association brought in a new executive director and legal representation.
U.S. Soccer has maintained much of the pay disparity between the men’s and women’s teams resulted from separate labour agreements. The women’s compensation structure included a guaranteed salary rather than a pay-for-play model like the men.
There has been no decision issued in the EEOC complaint, which was brought by Sauerbrunn, Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd. All five were on the team that won the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada.
“While I think there is still much progress to be made for us and for women more broadly, I think the WNTPA should be very proud of this deal and feel empowered moving forward,” Rapinoe said.
The contract announcement follows an agreement between USA Hockey and its women’s national team for better compensation following a threat by players to boycott the world championships.