|
|
MLS And Union Praise Each Other In Wake Of New CBA
In the announcement of the new collective bargaining agreement between Major League Soccer and its Players Union, both sides lauded the other in the commitment to reach a new agreement before the start of the new MLS season.
Mar 20, 2010 5:54:00 PM
By Steven Streff
An agreement took quite some time to reach, but with less than a week remaining until the opening match, the two sides came hammered out a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, with the help of the federal government.
"This is a great way for Major League Soccer to start its 15th season," stated MLS commissioner Don Garber in a teleconference. "Very positively, it is an agreement that will set the stage for a new relationship, and what we hope and expect will be a very productive relationship between Major League Soccer and its players."
Garber continued by praising the players in their resolve to act cohesively to get a new agreement done before the start of the 2010 season.
"In my experience in sports, I have never seen a group of players that have been more focused, more committed, more knowledgeable about the issues, and participated with a level of professionalism that reiterated our believe that we have the best players in professional sports," proclaimed Garber.
On the other side of the table, Bob Foose, the executive director of the MLS Players Union was just as quick to praise the attitude and resolve of the league and its owners in getting a new agreement done before the start of the season.
"From our perspective, these negotiations were always about players’ rights," said Foose. "Without the deep commitment of the owners to do this, none of us would be sitting here today, and for that, we are extremely grateful."
Not to be overlooked was the involvement and influence the federal government had on the proceedings. George C. Cohen, Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, helped the two sides reach an agreement. At one point during the teleconference, Garber stated how important Cohen’s presence was, by admitting that an agreement would not have been reached without his presence.
Cohen also spoke at the teleconference, and was impressed at the willingness of both sides in their attempt to reach a new CBA.
"This has been a major victory for the process of collective bargaining," said Cohen during his statements. "Obviously, it would not have been, but for the dedication and devotion of all the people in this room, at this table.
"[The collective bargaining agreement process] is far from a mystical or mysterious process. For each issue that there was an outstanding dispute, article by article, section by section, paragraph by paragraph, sentence by sentence, these people, in an informal setting, sat around a table, and talked to each other. They communicated with each other; they shared their views about how these problems could possibly be resolved.
"Ultimately, because of that informality and respect that they had for each other, this solution emerged."
About 25 players were in the room when the teleconference took place, and the Landon Donovan, who is part of the executive board of the Players Union, spoke on behalf of the players.
"From the players’ perspective, we are a lot more knowledgeable now, having gone through this process, and I think we are a lot more appreciative of how difficult this process is," Donovan said. "I think the fact that Don has been here through many early hours of the morning shows his commitment to this sport, and I think its very commendable, and I think we’re all very appreciative of that."
If the players and the league could not get what they all wished for in the agreement, they could all at least agree upon the growing and learning that took place during the process. And in the end, the players, the league, the owners, and more importantly, the fans, all win.
"This is a great way for Major League Soccer to start its 15th season," stated MLS commissioner Don Garber in a teleconference. "Very positively, it is an agreement that will set the stage for a new relationship, and what we hope and expect will be a very productive relationship between Major League Soccer and its players."
Garber continued by praising the players in their resolve to act cohesively to get a new agreement done before the start of the 2010 season.
"In my experience in sports, I have never seen a group of players that have been more focused, more committed, more knowledgeable about the issues, and participated with a level of professionalism that reiterated our believe that we have the best players in professional sports," proclaimed Garber.
On the other side of the table, Bob Foose, the executive director of the MLS Players Union was just as quick to praise the attitude and resolve of the league and its owners in getting a new agreement done before the start of the season.
"From our perspective, these negotiations were always about players’ rights," said Foose. "Without the deep commitment of the owners to do this, none of us would be sitting here today, and for that, we are extremely grateful."
Not to be overlooked was the involvement and influence the federal government had on the proceedings. George C. Cohen, Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, helped the two sides reach an agreement. At one point during the teleconference, Garber stated how important Cohen’s presence was, by admitting that an agreement would not have been reached without his presence.
Cohen also spoke at the teleconference, and was impressed at the willingness of both sides in their attempt to reach a new CBA.
"This has been a major victory for the process of collective bargaining," said Cohen during his statements. "Obviously, it would not have been, but for the dedication and devotion of all the people in this room, at this table.
"[The collective bargaining agreement process] is far from a mystical or mysterious process. For each issue that there was an outstanding dispute, article by article, section by section, paragraph by paragraph, sentence by sentence, these people, in an informal setting, sat around a table, and talked to each other. They communicated with each other; they shared their views about how these problems could possibly be resolved.
"Ultimately, because of that informality and respect that they had for each other, this solution emerged."
About 25 players were in the room when the teleconference took place, and the Landon Donovan, who is part of the executive board of the Players Union, spoke on behalf of the players.
"From the players’ perspective, we are a lot more knowledgeable now, having gone through this process, and I think we are a lot more appreciative of how difficult this process is," Donovan said. "I think the fact that Don has been here through many early hours of the morning shows his commitment to this sport, and I think its very commendable, and I think we’re all very appreciative of that."
If the players and the league could not get what they all wished for in the agreement, they could all at least agree upon the growing and learning that took place during the process. And in the end, the players, the league, the owners, and more importantly, the fans, all win.
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.