NFL Files Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against The NFLPA

The NFL today filed an unfair labor practice charge against the NFLPA at the National Labor Relations Board, alleging with just 17 days to go before the expiration of the CBA that the union has for 20 months not been engaged in good faith negotiations. The NFL said in an e-mail sent to reporters today that the complaint stated the union was planning to decertify after March 3 and file an antitrust lawsuit against the league, as it had done in '89.

"The NFL is asking for nothing more than the NLRB to order the union to bargain in good faith," the league said. "The NFL stated to the NLRB that the union has engaged in 'surface bargaining' and tactics designed to avoid reaching an agreement before the CBA expires so that it can file antitrust litigation. … The union’s strategy amounts to an unlawful anticipatory refusal to bargain."

The NFLPA in a statement said, "The players didn't walkout and the players can't lockout. Players want a fair, new and long-term deal. We have offered proposals and solutions on every issue the owners have raised. This claim has absolutely no merit."