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It's war: RPA go legal over permanent Premiership wage cut threat
Players’ union chief Damian Hopley has blasted English rugby’s Premiership clubs, claiming they are showing an “abject disregard for the players” over attempts to impose permanent 25 per cent pay cuts which are set to trigger legal action.
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Strike action has not currently been mentioned given the unprecedented financial problems facing the Gallagher Premiership clubs. However, players are reserving their right to take whatever action is necessary to protect their legal rights.
Hopley, the long-serving CEO of the Rugby Players’ Association, believes the decision by PRL earlier this week to cut next season’s salary cap has triggered moves to force some Premiership players to accept new extended contracts with a 25 per cent cut in wages which must be signed by June 18.
Hopley told RugbyPass: “We are back to square one in terms of dealing with the clubs. We are having to get legal because our hand has been forced having sought independent mediation which hasn’t been forthcoming. There comes a point when you have to take a stand on behalf of the membership. We cannot just sit back and we are up for this, but it is all totally avoidable. It’s a no-brainer.
“It’s no surprise that the salary cap was addressed by the clubs but we feel throughout this process there has been an abject disregard for the players. The players are reserving their rights against the legal framework of the contracts they are on. Some clubs are trying to entice or crowbar players into signing longer contracts with 25 per cent of their salary not counting in next season’s cap,” explained Hopley about what is now set to become a messy Premiership row.
“The lack of transparency means we are now in a position where we have lost faith in the process. We are hearing all sorts of things about a June 18 deadline for contracts being amended without any official comment from PRL or consultation with the RPA.
“We understand the immense contribution the owners make to English rugby but there has to be a better way of operating and the significant issue is that the players are the lifeblood of the game.
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“We are being backed into a corner with offers to players flooding in, saying things like you will be on less money but have a job for an extra season. On one hand, we are told we are going to be involved in a consultation and then the clubs go off and do their own things.
“Temporary pay cuts are in place and we feel totally let down by this scenario. We are grown-ups and respect is a key part of rugby. We don’t believe much respect has been shown to the playing group. The deadline of June 18 is manufactured and all we have is rumour and counter-rumour. We need clarity, dialogue and consultation, not Chinese whispers.
Economic realities bite https://t.co/IS3ZgHy9Rl
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 9, 2020
“PRL have been looking to reduce wages by 25 per cent permanently and it was rejected unanimously by our board. We have been working hard to move this forward to address the financial landscape not a quick fix pay cut. This is an opportunity to address root and branch the finances of the 13 clubs.”
Harlequins prop Mark Lambert, chairman of the RPA, added: “Most of the players have already had temporary 25 per cent pay cuts since March and April as a result of the unprecedented financial challenges exposed by Covid-19. “The RPA have been working diligently over the last twelve weeks to seek to avoid a repeat of the damaging situation the game found itself in when the clubs imposed temporary wage cuts on a unilateral basis in mid-March.
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“This latest situation could have been entirely avoided with a collaborative and transparent approach and we now find ourselves heading towards a significant legal dispute unless meaningful and genuine dialogue takes place urgently.
“In the meantime, the RPA position remains unequivocal: the RPA is opposed to permanent cuts for our members. From the outset of this crisis, there has been an absolute disregard for the players and the values of the game. Players at some clubs are now being served with ultimatums and being put under undue pressure to sign amended contracts through the manufactured deadline of June 18.
“To be clear, this is a totally unacceptable way to operate. Players are the lifeblood of the game and should be treated with respect. Players should not engage with this approach. The RPA will continue to fight for our members throughout this crisis.”
A document from the Rugby Players Epoch (RPE) outlining what they can offer players has shed new light on the breakaway players' union. https://t.co/ZIwARROvLK
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 6, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
16 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
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