AFLPA says AFLW players who have engaged lawyers in pay dispute could have negative impact on competition
The AFL players union says a disgruntled group of AFLW players who have engaged lawyers are having a “potential negative impact” on the women’s competition as the messy pay dispute drags on.
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A dispute between a breakaway block of AFLW players and the AFL Players’ Association has deepened.
The AFLPA tonight accused the group who have engaged lawyers to assist in collective bargaining agreement negotiations of having a “potential negative impact “ on the fledgling women’s competition.
Thursday’s Herald Sun revealed a band of disgruntled AFLW players had turned to workers’ rights law firm Maurice Blackburn citing deep dissatisfaction at the player union’s handling of the pay and conditions negotiation with the AFL.
“The unknown players represented by Maurice Blackburn and the lawyers on record don’t represent the views of the collective playing group,” an AFLPA spokesperson said.
“We are concerned about the advice being given to the players and the potential negative impact this will have on the playing group and the AFLW competition.”
Maurice Blackburn lawyer Jacinta Lewin hit back, declaring: “Never in the history of unions has an employee representative group decided to attack its own members who are asking for better conditions and clarity about their employment rights.
“It raises real questions about whose interests the AFLPA is acting for, given all we are trying to do is empower our clients with accurate and clear legal options.
“All our clients are doing, and us on their behalf, is asking for better conditions and clarity about their employment rights from the AFLPA … yet the AFLPA continues to dismiss them out of hand.
“The facts are this isn’t a transparent or fair deal at the moment and the AFLPA should be focused on doing its job — which is to resolve these issues with its members.”
But the AFLPA said the proposed CBA deal had been “provided to all players and is now open for a player vote”.
“We know that many players strongly support the proposed deal because they believe it is a good deal that addresses player priorities and provides sustainable growth.”
Voting closes at 5pm on Friday.
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