Contract talks between CFL and players break down

TORONTO — Contract talks between the CFL and CFL Players’ Association have broken down.

In a memo sent to its players, the CFLPA said it rejected the league’s proposal for a 10-year deal that called for no increases to the salary cap and eliminated the Canadian ratio.

The union said it walked away from talks after the CFL demanded players arrive at training camp even if a strike is imminent.

The current agreement is set to expire next Saturday, with training camps slated to open the following day. The CFL preseason is scheduled to kick off on May 23.

In the memo, the union said it was planning a membership meeting on Friday to discuss the state of contract talks.

The CFLPA said it asked the league on Monday not to require players to arrive in their respective cities the day before start of camp “if a strike is imminent.” It added that request was rejected.

“Presently, the league insists that even if a strike is imminent, players must travel from their homes for a single day before training camp begins,” the memo said. “The league refuses to provide players’ costs to return to their homes. The league has threatened our association with a lawsuit if we were to tell you that a strike is imminent and not travel to training camp. Furthermore, the league has put an ultimatum to accept their position on players reporting to camp, or they would refuse to continue negotiations with us.”

As a result, the CFLPA said negotiations ended Thursday before noon ET “as we refused their offer.”

The CFL said Friday: “We are deeply committed to a longterm, mutually beneficial partnership with our players. This was true when this bargaining process started and it will be true when we reach a collective bargaining agreement and beyond.”