More drama for NRL as refs launch Fair Work complaint

From one perspective, yes, although its arguable that moving people already on the full time payroll out of the bunker just moves cost from there to somewhere else in the NRL. As an organisation they only save money by getting rid of people altogether. They save nothing on depreciation of the capital, its a sunk cost. And I doubt Telstra or whoever is going to come to the party much on their charges. Bugger all savings I reckon.

Replace the ex-players in the Bunker with the Refs.

Which Pope?

Wrong - the protocols are based on AIS protocols so nothing to do with NRL. The other codes with national competitions have to wait on states views and "that League is going to be back on tv before they even have a date." Wrong again - the AFL has announced June 11 and Rugby in mid July subject to various issues which the NRL has shown are complex and beyond some simple minds of some supporters.. The NRL is scheduled for May 28 but as they discovered its complex - you know consulting with their refs. They have bungled it as the AFL has arranged for families to join players in hubs which I believe Warriors cant do

Doesn't matter if you are already on the payroll... if part of your role means working the bunker, then that aspect is a cost to the bunker. Simple accounting. But your point stands. I reckon total wages per year for the bunker would be $250k at most.

No directive, sure. But a contract is signed on a reasonable expectation the bunker would be used 4 times a game, say. Bit like AFL and ads. You don't know exactly how many goals will be kicked, but you enter into an agreement on a carefully assumed figure.

"but its public perception has diminished from a low base" Not sure that is true. I think that many people are impressed with the way in which the NRL has got back to playing. I also think that many people like the idea of going back to 1 ref and the 40 page Covid19 Protocols document that the NRL produced is now being used by other sports. It seems to me that most of the people who have had a perception adjustment are probably AFL or Union fans who hate the fact that League is going to be back on tv before they even have a date.

That's a lot of chicken to sell but of course there is no directive to use the Video Ref just so the chicken shop logo/promo gets a showing.

I think you may have misunderstood his intent, or I did. The NRL need to have a direction of what they want and how. That outcomeof that process is the 'decision' but that doesn't mean it's final, it's means now is the time to seek external input. The difference being, if there's too many people (decision by consensus) in the initial decision making process, the whole thing drags out further tha it should have been. It is simply 'here's the bare bolts, what are we missing?' then the outside parties will have their say and the NRL can determine how valuable it is in the greater scheme of things.

Its complex isn't it and the NRL still hasn't released the draw. V'landys is a dictator and has his mate as acting CEO yet the ARU were criticised because Wiggs wanted to bring in his mate as CEO without due process. This NRL saga will end in tears and maybe the AFL scheme to take its time may have been the wiser though I believe if the NRL games were dormant for 90 days the broadcasters could rip up the contract. In between flu jabs, refs, Warriors, social distancing malfunctions etc the NRL may get on the field but its public perception has diminished from a low base.

Ben, I am sure there are many business wishing that they could have waited until XXXXX before they had to start slashing jobs etc but Covid19 had other ideas.

I've no idea what argument the NRL will run but surely having NRL refs involved in Tests as single referees will be trotted out as evidence it's a no issue, certainly from a fitness & game management perspective? As for the rest, again I suppose that comes down to how their agreement is worded and what Fair Work decides. I can't see any arbitration working, given the corners both V'landys & Del Vecchio appear to have painted themselves into.

I don't begrudge the refs for asking the question and now, at this precarious point, is the right time to ask I suppose, to pressure the NRL to a quick decision. I'd be very surprised if it held up with Fair Work during this time. If nothing else, they will get to run with one ref for this season but it might be a harder fight when things go back to normality and the refs don't want this tobe the new normal.

I am starting to get the distinct impression that Vlandy's has decided on doing a "Suicide Exec Job" This is a role sometimes employed by big business when the firm is in trouble, often the business simply brings in administrators to do the job but it can be done by recruiting a hatchet man into a senior role. I think that Vlandy's has realised the NRL needs a hatchet job and with Covid 19 he is ideally placed and at the ideal time to perform that role. Watch out for a bucket load of unpleasant decisions, cost cuts and severely bruised egos followed by a rapid resignation as Vlandy's rides off into the sunset.

I agree Moose. I don't see where they save the millions from this that has been quoted. I am in favour of going back to 1 ref regardless and the 6 again rule sounds like a good move. As for other minor (and not so minor) cuts and trims, I am sure that is exactly what Abdo is doing as well. We all know that the NRL & clubs are going to emerge from this with big black holes in balance sheets. Money has to come from somewhere and despite the rhetoric that has been thrown about citing bloated head office spending, that bloat was being spent on something. Bloat is not something that you can just cut without consequence. Like it or not, additional refs over and above what is needed is a very good example of Bloat.

I don't think they have treated anyone with contempt. The NRL are simply doing what most businesses are doing right now and that is planning for business survival in a post covid environment. Many businesses have already told employees that their job has gone, or the wages cut etc with far less feeling than the NRL has shown. To my knowledge, the NRL has not made any full time refs redundant they have moved to reduce the work load and cancel part time working. In doing so, they have aligned themselves with international rules and a far better model in my view. The NRL will start again on the 28th even if they have to recruit someone's Dad to do the officiating.

I don't imagine the labour cost in that $2m would be the largest part. Surely it's staffed by either people paid on a per game/day basis, or people who are already full time on the payroll. I'd expect a large chunk of the cost is telco charges, plus depreciation of the initial investment.

That's called consulting for the appearance of being consultative. It's not genuine consultation.

Good on the refs union. If the NRL had an agreement, it should abide by it. People's livelihoods are on the line.

That's how a dictator does things.