Seriously? ... Comments? Northwestern football players win first round in bid to unionize (USA TODAY) Peter Sung Ohr, the regional director of the Chicago office of the National Labor Relations Board, ruled Wednesday that Northwestern football players under the College Athletes Players Association have the right to unionize, a decision that eventually could have far-reaching impacts on college sports. The ruling comes less than two week after the university and CAPA submitted their briefs to Ohr for his consideration. Northwestern released a statement on the precedent-setting decision, saying that it is disappointed in the ruling and plans to appeal to the National Labor Relations board in Washington, D.C. While we respect the NLRB process and the regional directors opinion, we disagree with it, said Alan Cubbage, Northwesterns vice president for university relations. Northwestern believes strongly that our student-athletes are not employees, but students. Unionization and collective bargaining are not the appropriate methods to address the concerns raised by student-athletes. Tim Waters, the political director of the United Steelworkers, who are funding CAPA in this endeavor, called it a complete victory for the players, saying that the board ruled in their favor on every question. Ohrs decision reflects Waters sentiment, as nearly all of his points back up arguments that CAPA made in the hearing and in its brief. Donald Remy, chief legal officer for the NCAA, released a statement Wednesday that said, While not a party to the proceeding, the NCAA is disappointed that the NLRB Region 13 determined the Northwestern football team may vote to be considered university employees. We strongly disagree with the notion that student-athletes are employees. We frequently hear from student-athletes, across all sports, that they participate to enhance their overall college experience and for the love of their sport, not to be paid. Over the last three years, our member colleges and universities have worked to re-evaluate the current rules. While improvements need to be made, we do not need to completely throw away a system that has helped literally millions of students over the past decade alone attend college. We want student athletes - 99 percent of whom will never make it to the professional leagues - focused on what matters most - finding success in the classroom, on the field and in life.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 15:54:59 +0000
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