NFL Players’ Counsel says NFL Shouldn’t Force Unionization

Reports are circulating that NFLPA player representatives received an email from general counsel Richard Berthelsen, in addition to the email from DeMaurice Smith prior to their board call.

 According to the NFL Network the email detailed the issues the players had with the settlement proposal approved by the owners.

“In addition to depriving the players of the time needed to consider forming a union and making needed changes to the old agreement, this proposed procedure would in my view also violate federal labor laws,” the email read. “Those laws prohibit employers from coercing their employees into forming a union, and could result in any agreement reached through the procedure being declared null and void.”

The email says the league “demands that the players re-form as a union and provide evidence by Tuesday, July 26 that a majority of players have signed union authorization cards.”

It also said that the new CBA includes “virtually all provisions of the old CBA” and that after voting on it, by July 26, the players would only have three days to bargain changes in terms. The agreement, it goes on, “would become final on Saturday, July 30. If the NFL does not agree to the players’ proposed changes, the old CBA terms on benefits, discipline, safety, etc. will remain unchanged for another 10 years.”