NBA Players Union could be decertified – Labour Dispute Update
The National Basketball Player’s Association, the representative union of NBA players, could be decertified if the players don’t see value in further negotiations with the NBA owners. The NBPA’s outside legal counsel, Jeffrey Kessler,
revealed that the drastic step is definitely on the table, although the players still believe a resolution can be reached through negotiations.
“It’s not off the table in any way,” said Kessler, “There’s no immediate urgency to that issue. It’s an option the players are actively considering. But they have time to decide whether it makes sense to end the union or not.”
If the players decide that the owners are not being at all fair in their proposals and not budging from their demands than the players could decide to exercise the option of decertification. What it actually means it that the players
will be taking the battle to the court, something both sides want to avoid, although the players, and many analysts, believe that they have a strong case and could come out on top if a legal wrangle ensues.
The NFL’s players union took the drastic step earlier when its owners played hardball. Kessler is also an outside counsel for them and is a firm advocate of the method, which he believes could turn the tide in the union’s favour.
However, the downside to such a step is that the owners can then frame the new rules themselves which could harm the players cause. Also the timing of such a step is of significant importance. If the players do it too soon, they
will be viewed as hasty and could be blame for not having exhausted the negotiating process before taking the matter to court. However, if they wait for a few more months, until say when the training camps are supposed to start, games will certainly be lost
as the legal process is bound to take some time.
So far, the NBPA President Derek Fisher, of the Los Angeles Lakers, and executive vice president Billy Hunter seem to be willing to negotiate. They have not given any indication yet, that they are considering such a high impact
move and have regularly stressed the importance of sitting down to talk and hopefully reach an agreement.
However, if the players do decide to take the step, it would be done quickly and could be a major blow to NBA Commissioner David Stern and the owners. The players signed all the paper work required for the dissolution of the union
during the regular season and many have already taken a hard stance against the owners.
Therefore the threat of a legal battle braking out cannot be taken lightly.
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