Riders’ LaBatte has concerns about CFL’s new CBA

The CFL and its players’ association may have labour peace, but Brendon LaBatte has questions.

The CFL and the CFLPA announced Wednesday that they have ratified a new three-year collective bargaining agreement. While LaBatte noted that “it’s good to have (negotiations) behind us,” the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ veteran offensive lineman admitted he has some issues.

Asked after a training-camp session in Saskatoon if he had a sense that the players are further ahead now than they used to be in terms of a partnership with the CFL in areas like revenue-sharing, LaBatte replied: “Not overly.”

“It’s a partnership, but I watched revenue-sharing leave in 2009 and then we fought to get it back at about half the percentage that it once was,” the former union rep said at Griffiths Stadium on the University of Saskatchewan campus. “I’ve kind of come to terms (with it).

“I don’t really, truly believe in my heart that the next generation for the next 10 years is going to have it any better than the 10 years that I played previously in terms of the Canadians. I think there are some great things that have happened for the veteran Americans (in the new deal), but I think you’re going to see a lot of the Canadian guys who used to have a bit of a monopoly on the market (realize) that has been taken care of.

“That was the intent of (the league’s negotiating plan), I think. They accomplished what they wanted to accomplish.”

The deal reportedly includes protection of sorts for three American-born starters who have been with the same team for three seasons or who have four years of experience in the CFL. The clause seemingly prevents a club from replacing those three players with younger players whose salaries are lower.

That said, the new CBA leaves the Canadian ratio at its previous level. Each team’s 44-man game-day roster must include 21 Canadian-born players, seven of whom must start.

LaBatte was just glad to have the matter resolved.

“The players, we advanced a little bit (and) the league advanced a little bit, but there’s nothing major coming out of (the new CBA),” he said. “As major a distraction as it is, there’s nothing that major.”

The league and the players’ association came to terms on a tentative agreement on May 15 and signed a memorandum of agreement on Saturday, one day before the start of training camps.

There was a hiccup Saturday — some thought the players would strike as a result — but the CFLPA and the CFL worked out the issue.

“Our new agreement speaks to positive growth for our league and a renewed investment in our players,” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement on Wednesday. “We have an exciting future ahead of us and people around the world will see us build it together.

“I want to thank our players, teams and fans for their patience and let them know that I share their enthusiasm for the start of football season.”

CFLPA president Jeff Keeping also released a statement.

“I would like to thank all CFL players for their commitment and diligence as we worked together toward a fair agreement. I would also like to thank the fans for their support and understanding throughout this process,” he said. “This new agreement moves us forward as partners in the future of the game.”

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Wray Morrison and The Canadian Press