NFL Labor Watch: Teams Announce Plans For No Furloughs, Layoffs During Lockout

Vikings President Mark Wilf, "after reading about other NFL teams already laying off people because of the expected lockout," held a meeting with "all of the team employees and let them know that for the time being there would not [be] any layoffs if there is a lockout," according to Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Wilf said that he "would look at things again in September to see if it becomes necessary to make a change in the non-layoff policy" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/3). In New Orleans, Jim Varney notes the Saints thus far "have not issued any warnings to employees or sent any letters with paychecks indicating the team might be considering furloughs," a step the Jets "have publicly acknowledged they will take with staffers if a lockout commences." Varney: "In the short term, neither furloughs nor layoffs are in the cards" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 3/3). Jaguars Senior VP/Communications & Media Dan Edwards said that the organization's plan during a lockout is "'to operate business as usual' and that there are no plans to layoff, furlough or cut any staff." In Orlando, Andrew Carter notes the Dolphins, "like most teams," have it "worked into the contracts of their assistants that their salaries could be reduced as much as 40 percent during a lockout" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 3/3). In Indianapolis, Mike Chappell notes Colts Owner Jim Irsay last month "insisted he has no plans to reduce the pay of his coaching staff or front-office personnel." Irsay: "I really don't anticipate any of those type of changes." Meanwhile, the potential lockout "apparently has had little impact on the Colts' season ticket renewals." Monday was the "deadline for individuals to renew their packages," and Colts COO Pete Ward said renewals are "tracking almost identical to last year at this time" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 3/3).

SEEING HOW THINGS PLAY OUT: In S.F., David White reports the 49ers are "more than willing to watch the collective bargaining agreement expire tonight without making any pre-emptive moves to improve their 6-10 team." A team source said, "Everyone is just kind of waiting to see what happens." White notes all the 49ers did yesterday was "offer one-year restricted free-agent tenders to three players" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 3/3). In San Diego, Kevin Acee reports nine Chargers "got restricted free agent tenders" yesterday, "most of which will probably prove meaningless." Chargers S Eric Weddle, one of the tendered players, said, "I know once the CBA gets solved this will be wiped out" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/3). Meanwhile, in S.F., Vittorio Tafur reports the Raiders have signed "five potential free agents to contracts before the agreement expires." But the team "didn't include one signing bonus that required a check being cut before a game is played" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 3/3).

STILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS: In Green Bay, Richard Ryman notes a lockout "won't shut down public and business operations at Lambeau Field." Operations to which the public has access, "such as Curly's Pub, the Packers Pro Shop, the Hall of Fame and stadium tours, will continue as usual." The Lambeau Field Atrium "also will continue to host conferences and other events" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 3/3).