free agency: what will it mean for us?

[ace]

Yes they should leave it how it is and then go to court and lose and have total free agency. That would be much better. The AFL have done the right thing other we would have eventually headed down the court path. Most great players will stay if your club is run well. Why do people always look at the negative side of things. We may lose players. Well we did this year so whats the difference. We may actually be better off.

Losing the court case only matters if you continue to insist that clubs be the employer.

However if clubs pay their salary caps to the AFL and
then the AFL becomes the employer of all players and
then allocates players to clubs (under the existing draft and trade rules)
the courts can't interfere.

Players are still free to ply their trade in any competition they like, but if they want to play AFL they choose to be employed by the AFL, and they work as directed like any employee or get sacked.

What are you talking about? That isnt going to happen. Not sure if you realise it but there is a players union and they do have rights afterall without them the game wouldnt be as good.

With the exception of government public services, unions are dying.
Simply, unions are more intersted in their own power base than the long term ability of employers to pay high wages.
The NFL and baseball in the USA occassionally have strikes, the owners bring in a lesser grade of player.
But in the end the game loses.
The employers get less income and long term players end up with less money than if a harmonious agreement had been reached.

The AFLPA push for free agency has more to do with appearing to work for players to maintain their support.
Lets just hope that the AFLPA nevers produces another political clown like Justin "the joke minister" Madden.

[3rd generation saint]

They've had free agency in the NFL for years, yet the salary cap there still helps keep the competition viable, example, New Orleans winning the Superbowl this year.
Even Indianopolis being a power club when ten years ago they we're nothing.
Yes interstate players may want to go home, but, they still have to fit into the salary cap which will prevent many from doing so and getting a good deal from their current club.
If managed well, it will only hurt badly managed clubs.

[plugger66]

Interesting idea Ace....but I don't get it.

Why would the AFL be able to circumvent restraint of trade rules when the individual clubs cannot?

Surely a player could complain to one government tribunal oranother, that he was not being employed fairly, or to the best use of his talents...or that he was even being bullied...by the AFL

With the AFL as the only employer of AFL footballers, players would still be free to ply their trade in any football competition they like.
When your employer directs you to carry out work you have the choice to comply or refuse.
The same would apply to footballers employed by the AFL.
Just like you would happen to you, failure to comply would result in warnings followed by sacking.

Playing your Joker early in the year Ace.

[perfectionist]

...With the exception of government public services, unions are dying....Simply, unions are more interested in their own power base than the long term ability of employers to pay high wages...

If so, why spend any time talking about them?

The three most powerful unions in Australia are:
1. The Surgeons' union
2. The Lawyers' union
3. The Police union

All have almost 100% coverage which is either compulsory by stealth or by peer mandate.

The next three most powerful unions are
1. The GP's unions
2. The Journalist's union
3. The AFLPA

Once again, they have almost 100% coverage.

The two characteristics of these unions is that they cover people with the highest incomes or cater for our health and safety, and therefore are prepared to use huge blackmail. Cleaners don't have the same clout.

Clearly, some general talk about "unions" neglects many union organisations that are called other names (associations or institutes or organisations) . As well, often the talk neglects to mention the role of unions in the last 200 years, just one of those inconvenient truths.

In an ideal world, all employers, including AFL football clubs, would give proper weight to the interests of their employees in the conduct of their business. In this ideal world, unions would, indeed, be irrelevant. Alas, for workers, we have still a fair way to go towards the achievement of this ideal world. To that extent, unions will continue to exist and to continue to tweak the ire of those who, for some strange reason, still think that employers can do whatever they want whatever the consequences.

The AFLPA is doing what they should. The AFL, on the other hand, should also do what they should do in the interests of the game. Without doubt, there is a conflict, at least in the short term. A free agent, salary cap free system would deliver higher salaries to players in the short term. Perhaps even in the long term . I still cannot understand why anyone in Scotland still attends non Celtic or Rangers games - they must be masochists ( Like us). In most instances, a proper compromise can be found to satisfy all demands, as long as one party doesn't get too greedy. The history of the world is that greed usually wins out.

I repeat, we would do well to win a flag or two in the next few years.

[plugger66]

...With the exception of government public services, unions are dying....Simply, unions are more interested in their own power base than the long term ability of employers to pay high wages...

If so, why spend any time talking about them?

The three most powerful unions in Australia are:
1. The Surgeons' union
2. The Lawyers' union
3. The Police union

All have almost 100% coverage which is either compulsory by stealth or by peer mandate.

The next three most powerful unions are
1. The GP's unions
2. The Journalist's union
3. The AFLPA

Once again, they have almost 100% coverage.

The two characteristics of these unions is that they cover people with the highest incomes or cater for our health and safety, and therefore are prepared to use huge blackmail. Cleaners don't have the same clout.

Clearly, some general talk about "unions" neglects many union organisations that are called other names (associations or institutes or organisations) . As well, often the talk neglects to mention the role of unions in the last 200 years, just one of those inconvenient truths.

In an ideal world, all employers, including AFL football clubs, would give proper weight to the interests of their employees in the conduct of their business. In this ideal world, unions would, indeed, be irrelevant. Alas, for workers, we have still a fair way to go towards the achievement of this ideal world. To that extent, unions will continue to exist and to continue to tweak the ire of those who, for some strange reason, still think that employers can do whatever they want whatever the consequences.

The AFLPA is doing what they should. The AFL, on the other hand, should also do what they should do in the interests of the game. Without doubt, there is a conflict, at least in the short term. A free agent, salary cap free system would deliver higher salaries to players in the short term. Perhaps even in the long term . I still cannot understand why anyone in Scotland still attends non Celtic or Rangers games - they must be masochists ( Like us). In most instances, a proper compromise can be found to satisfy all demands, as long as one party doesn't get too greedy. The history of the world is that greed usually wins out.

I repeat, we would do well to win a flag or two in the next few years.

Why do we need to win a flag in a few years apart from the fact we will lose our great players to age? Can you clearly explain to me why the richer clubs will dominate when we have a salary cap. It will actually be easier for the bottom clubs to pick up stars than the top clubs because their salary cap will be less than 100% so they can offer more so whether you are a rich or poor club it will have little bearing. It will more about top or bottom paying clubs.

[Con Gorozidis]

crikeys. im actually getting educated on saintsational. what the hells the matter with you guys!!!

im far less concerned about free agency and far more concerned about GC17 and GWS pinching 2 of our good players.

[ausfatcat]

With the exception of government public services, unions are dying.
Simply, unions are more intersted in their own power base than the long term ability of employers to pay high wages.

Mis informed rubbish on all accounts their ace (membership is increasing).


BTW plugger most unionists I know coinsider the CMFU to be the most powerful union.