NFL players union opposes Wisconsin right-to-work bill

[Omaha Steve]

Source: The Cap Times

By Todd D. Milewski

National Football League Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith is no stranger to right-to-work battles in the Midwest, having spoken out against the movements in Michigan and Indiana that led to those states enacting laws in 2012.

Now, Smith is joining Wisconsin labor officials in decrying the laws that forbid private union contracts that require membership as a condition of employment.

"If you are able to decrease the ability of a group of people to bargain collectively, you've won the war before the fight started," Smith said in a phone interview Monday. "It's one thing to be in a negotiation room where you have a group of workers who formed themselves as a team, and whatever contract you get is the contract you get. Or you can play the game in such a way where you actually prevent or inhibit the ability of that group of people to get into the room as a group, and you win the war before the fight began. And that's what right to work is."

Pro football players for the Green Bay Packers make up only a tiny, yet highly visible, segment of union membership in Wisconsin. And a right-to-work law might not impact the NFLPA as much as other unions.

FULL story at link.



NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith says pro football players share the same labor issues as other working men and women.



Read more: http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/writers/todd-milewski/nfl-players-union-opposes-wisconsin-right-to-work-bill/article_4ccb4b23-daf8-5a37-976a-1e92b9bea2ab.html

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Four years ago the World Champions Green Bay Packers backed the public unions. Several players including Super Bowl MVP AAron Rodgers participated in the protests.

[global1]

1. So OK The NFL Opposes Wisconsin Right -To - Work Bill ......

Does that mean that the Packers and their opponents will refuse to play any games in Wisconsin until Walker is brought to his knees?

How is the NFL going to follow-thru with its opposition?

[irisblue]

3. ^^this^^

money where your mouths are pals. and better then likely this will not happen.

[FSogol]

4. Not the NFL, the NFL Players Union.

I'm sure the NFL has no problems with right-to-work and would never consider cancelling games.

[Omaha Steve]

5. Which city was it...

Two years ago a food vendor was struck at an eastern city. Players said they wouldn't cross the line. That strike ended BEFORE the next game day because of pressure from the city and fans.

Anybody remember the city?

[Dont call me Shirley]

9. The Packers could bring walker to his knees.

[Kingofalldems]

2. Kicked, recced and tweeted.

[mopinko]

6. never thought i would say this, but

go pack.

i am not surprised at this, tho, from the only publicly owned team in the nfl.

i hope this strike is a huge success.
maybe you could put up a link to a strike fund or some other way for du to support the strike.

[Omaha Steve]

7. There is no strike at this time. Just two days of protest at the capitol.

Marta bought me ONE share for Christmas 4 years ago. It is worthless. It helped with the improvements to the stadium.

I have one of these. My share looks just like the one on the shirt.



This is what shares have looked like over the years below.

http://www.packersproshop.com/large_view/sku_3612231010/

[mopinko]

8. i read there was supposed to be a general strike.

no?

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

10. Technically you are allowed one tour of the stadium per year

If I recall.