Professional Footballers Australia says it won’t be rushed into signing a new collective bargaining agreement by Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop.
Speaking at the launch of the new A-League season in Sydney, Gallop said he was “frustrated” at how long it is taking the players’ union to ratify a few four-year, whole-of-game pay deal which is currently on the table.
An agreement is unlikely to be reached before Thursday’s A-League season opener but is still thought to be a foregone conclusion, with significant progress having been made over the last few weeks.
But PFA boss Adam Vivian has called for patience, revealing more talks will unfold later this week focusing on contract security and safety for players at financially unstable A-League clubs.
It is an area of particular concern for PFA given the financial turmoil plaguing Brisbane Roar and the collapse of the Newcastle Jets under former owner Nathan Tinkler.
“The PFA has been working for 14 months with FFA to reach an agreement for a whole of game CBA,” Vivian said in a statement.
“It required players taking serious industrial action, and the Matildas being forced to cancel a tour, for FFA to move.
“The PFA is the representative of the players. Once both parties positions have been finalised, and the players have been adequately consulted, provided feedback and made a decision we will be in a position to sign the agreement.
“We call on all parties to remain patient as we work towards this historic agreement that will impact on all our members careers.”
In a further sign that relations between FFA and PFA remain as frosty as ever, a terse Gallop also fired back at the union for not knowing their “role” in the game.
The PFA issued a press release on Tuesday morning which urged for more to be done to ensure the continued development of the A-League.
Gallop said: “I don’t think they were useful comments today.”
“We’re perfectly aware of what needs to happen to develop the sport.
“The PFA have got a role. Right now their role is to get the deal done.
“It really is time for them to focus on their job and let us focus on ours.”
Gallop denied he ever held fears the lengthy CBA negotiations could cause a delay to the beginning of the A-League season.
“The fans would expect that the games would go ahead in any circumstances and the PFA recognise that as well,” he said.
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