NFL Lock Out Update

I've written post about the lock out from the perspective of sitting at the negotiating table myself.  I'm a union steward for my shop and represented the employees in contract talks with the company I work for.  Fortunately we were not in a lock out situation like the players. 

The other thing to consider is that the NFL labor situation is unique and different than the private sector.  Basically it is a group of workers negotiating a collective bargaining agreement.  In the private sector that CBA pretty much sets working conditions and pay.  Pay is the key difference between the two types of CBAs.  My CBA sets wages, a wage scale and raises.  In the professional sports world, pay is individually negotiated by agents as well as pay raises and other perks.  There are some guidelines on what can and cannot be included in an individual contract.  There is a player standard contract that meets minimum requirements and spells out certain expectations like player conduct.  Finally, the league office and the players union must also sign off on it. 

According to the latest reports, both sides have reached tentative agreements on most the major issues.  The two outstanding issues are the rookie wage scale and an issue with free agency. 

As for the rookie wage scale, some basic parameters have been set but how many rookies will it affect and the length of contracts they can sign appear to be the issues.  The owners want to include several first round picks in the draft subject to the scale.  Since there is a gentlemen's agreement on slotting rookie contracts, they only need to agree where the scale starts and how many players it covers.  After that, by the slotting system, the scale trickles down to the lower drafted players.

There is a good side bar in an ESPN.com story on the rookie wage scale.  I highly recommend reading it.  I can't do it justice trying to explain it here.

I think the rookie wage scale is workable.  I can't see how it would scuttle the rest of the agreement.  The biggest issue, the revenue split, is agreed upon.  That was the issue that potentially could have shortened or canceled the season.  With that out of the way, unless some boneheaded owners dig in, the CBA should be done soon.  Keep in mind it only takes a few owners to sink the agreement.  To ratify the deal, 24 out of 32 owners need to approve the deal.  It will take 9 owners to sink an agreement.