Some At NFLPA Think Pension Plan Exit May Be Prep For CBA Battle
Some inside the NFLPA “believe owners decided to allow teams to exit" from the uniform pension plan for non-playing employees in “preparation for a lockout, which would come after the 2010 season” if a new CBA is not reached, according to Judy Battista of the N.Y. TIMES. Nine teams "have pulled out so far," and the owners, “thinking at the union goes, will save money by not having to support the pension plan and they may get rid of some big contracts for assistants in the bargain, although the decision applies to all nonplaying employees.” Assistants are “not represented by a union, but their association, which represents assistants and a few head coaches, works under the auspices of the players association.” NFL Coaches Association Exec Dir Larry Kennan: “We’ve talked about becoming a union over time, and the owners have always said, ‘You couldn’t possibly become a union because you’re managers, you’re supervisory by nature. If we’re supervisors, why didn’t they tell us they were thinking of doing this? Head coaches and general managers didn’t know this was going on. We felt totally, totally disrespected.” Kennan added he hopes NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaruice Smith includes coaches in negotiating the next CBA (N.Y. TIMES, 5/13). In DC, Mark Maske reported there “has been talk among some assistant coaches leaguewide about a one-day walkout to protest the move, or of a renewed effort to form a union for the assistant coaches.” Keenan said that “nothing has been decided” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 5/12).
IMPACT ON TEAMS: Colts assistant coaches Tom Moore and Howard Mudd are “contemplating retirement” because of the pension issue, and Colts President Bill Polian said, “This is predicated on the uncertainty of whether every club will fund their obligations to the 80% statutory level. That is the unknown. We have told them that we’re funded, but we can’t speak for the other clubs that owe them money.” USA TODAY’s Jarrett Bell notes in a “global plan, a vested coach remains just that after switching teams.” 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye: "Portability is an issue. How do you carry your vestment from one team to another? That’s created friction and anxiety among coaches" (USA TODAY, 5/13).
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