CFLPA files grievance

CFLPA files grievance with CFL related to player safety and rehabilitation

Toronto – The Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA) announced today that it has filed a grievance against the CFL.

In the claim, the CFLPA challenges that the CFL and its members clubs have chosen not to act on their obligation to care for CFL players who sustain long-term injuries on the field, despite their responsibility to do so.

Brian Ramsay, Executive Director, CFL Players’ Association commented, “CFL players deserve necessary and required coverage to fully rehabilitate serious injuries suffered while playing. The CFL has a duty to protect the players and provide that coverage. The concerns of the membership, as outlined in the grievance, are now urgent given CFL’s recent position in the courts. This position, as well as their unwillingness to support simple and affordable solutions for limitations in the players’ current medical benefits program, sends a clear message to the players about the CFL’s commitment to their wellbeing.”

Ramsay continued, “Player safety and rehabilitation are priorities for our membership but the CFL has repeatedly denied our request to discuss a fair and affordable extended rehabilitation and compensation plan that would bridge the gap of care needed by players in 2018. By failing to enact this plan, the CFL is failing to ensure both duty and responsibility of care required by the CBA.”

In the grievance the CFLPA claims that the CFL office, CFLPRC and member clubs are in breach of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the CFL Standard Player Contract, relevant Human Rights legislation in each Canadian province where the League operates, and relevant Health & Safety legislation in each Canadian province where the League operates. The grievance also claims that the CFL has failed to seek coverage for players under the relevant workers’ compensation legislation in each Canadian province where the League operates.

 

Source: CFL.ca