Canadian men’s team negotiations progressing

The countdown to the World Cup in Qatar is ticking, and the pressure is building on Canada Soccer to seal a compensation deal with the men’s national team.

There is plenty on the negotiating table, given the increased attention and higher stakes that come with making the men’s soccer showcase for the first time in 36 years. But part of the negotiations could go beyond the November start of the tournament, says Toronto FC midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye, part of the national team leadership group.

“A (collective bargaining agreement) is a big thing. There are parts I’m confident will be done before the World Cup starts,” Kaye said. “The important things like the compensation for the World Cup, the family and friends package (to attend the tournament), things like this are of a timely matter, you have to get it done before the (tournament) kicks off.

“And then the other stuff that’s in a CBA, I think we can continue to move in the right direction to finding solid ground on an agreement on those things.”

The Canadian men, currently ranked 43rd in the world, open play at the World Cup on Nov. 23 against No. 2 Belgium.

The impasse over compensation came into full focus in early June when the men boycotted a planned friendly with Panama in Vancouver. They have since formed a players association to help their cause.

“It took a while to get to this moment. But we knew we needed it because it gave the players a little more protection going forward … especially when it comes to negotiating with Canada Soccer,” Kaye said.

“But also when it comes to our licensing rights, our group rights and just creating an environment where the players are fully protected on and off the field. Player associations are huge in sports and we felt like it was long overdue that we needed one considering the landscape of everything going on.

“It’s definitely a positive step forward. We have our legal counsel on board. It definitely makes the process a little bit smoother now.”

Fellow Toronto midfielder Jonathan Osorio also believes the association will enable talks to progress “in a more efficient way.”

“I think we are optimistic that a deal will get done,” he said. “At the same time, us the players, we’re focusing on playing more than anything, playing the World Cup. Now we have our legal representation (Aird & Berlis) that will worry about all the other stuff.”

Canada Soccer agreed to “voluntarily recognize” the men’s players association, allowing it to serve as the team’s bargaining agent.

In 2016, Canada Soccer also recognized the Canadian Soccer Players Association as the exclusive bargaining agent for the women’s team. It has its own legal counsel.

Kaye acknowledges that the environment created by Canada Soccer for the men “is not a bad one.”

“There are things that need to stay and things that need to improve, especially for the women’s side. But there’s not many things that need to really change. That’s why I’m confident that a CBA can be agreed upon. But I think we all understand the importance of getting the World Cup stuff figured out first.”

One thing that needs to be evened out is improving travel arrangements for the women’s team, which are not as good as that for the men.

Kaye said the men told the women in June in Vancouver “we want to fight to raise your standards, but in doing that we do not want to lower our standards. “It shouldn’t be that Canada Soccer takes away from the men to bring up the women. Canada Soccer should find the means to bring the women up to where the men are.”

Canada coach John Herdman wants the compensation matter resolved sooner than later. “There’s no minute to waste now,” he said.