NFL retiree Bernard Parrish last month filed an unfair labor practices charge against the NFLPA at the National Labor Relations Board for allegedly unlawfully negotiating on behalf of retired players. Parrish is also currently suing the NFLPA in a California federal court over licensing payments. The NFLPA just concluded a new 10-year CBA with the NFL that includes a $1B program for retirees. During the time of the negotiations, the NFLPA was not a labor union, but it has since re-formed as one. The NFLPA, the July 20 charge maintains, “by its agents, officers and representatives, has violated the National Labor Relations Act by violating an outstanding Board Order by claiming to try to represent the retired NFL players, including, among others Bernard Parrish.”
The NFL is in the process of withdrawing its own charge against the NFLPA at the labor agency. That charge was filed Feb. 14 and claimed the union was not engaged in serious bargaining. An NLRB spokesperson, however, said the NFL charge technically might remain outstanding until Parrish’s charge is resolved. The NFLPA could not immediately be reached for comment.
