When the 2011 National Football League season kicks off next month, the players on the field will again be members of the AFL-CIO. After negotiating a fair and secrure contract and reconstituting their union, the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) today rejoined the federation. The NFLPA renounced its status as a union in March so the players could take advantage of legal anti-trust action against the owners’ lockout.
“It was the steadfast unity of our players and support from millions that allowed us to reach a fair deal for the working men who risk their health and safety to play professional football,” said DeMaurice Smith, NFLPA’s executive director.
We have a renewed sense of unity that we’re excited to bring to our reaffiliation with the AFL-CIO. As we all face tough economic times, we see what’s possible when we work together.
A huge majority of the players signed union authorization cards and the NFL officially recognized the union as the players’ exclusive collective bargaining representative on July 30. The NFL and the NFLPA successfully negotiated a new 10-year collective bargaining agreement which became effective Aug. 4.
“The strength of working people is in the strength of our collective voice – an we are stronger today with the reaffiliation of the NFLPA,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.
Just like millions of hardworking Americans, the players used their collective voice to work towards a solution. And as working people work together to create good jobs and rebuild America’s economy, we welcome the NFLPA back into America’s labor movement.
