January expects strike mandate

By: Paul Wiecek Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Thursday, May. 22, 2014

Winnipeg Blue Bombers players representative Glenn January says he expects his teammates and fellow players around the league to vote overwhelmingly in favour of a strike now that talks have broken down and the CFL has gone public.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/05/2014 (4343 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“I’ve talked to the guys and there’s a lot of guys very excited about seeing this process through,” January said in a telephone interview Wednesday.

“I don’t think there’s any question we will have a yes to a strike vote and I’d be surprised if it’s not close to 90 per cent.”

JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS files
Winnipeg players rep Glenn January says the CFL violated an agreement when it went public without giving notice. — JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS files Winnipeg players rep Glenn January says the CFL violated an agreement when it went public without giving notice.

Talks broke down Wednesday morning when the CFLPA turned up for a scheduled bargaining session in Toronto only to find out the league’s negotiators had different ideas.

Refusing

“The league came into the room, read a statement, released it to the media and then left,” January said. “They said there were refusing to negotiate with us anymore until we come to the table with a legitimate offer, something to that extent.”

January said the league and CFLPA had an agreement that neither side would go public without first giving 24 hours notice.

“It’s a joke. They’ve made it as difficult as possible for us through this whole negotiating process,” January said.

Most if not all Bombers players have now received their strike ballots in the mail and the CFLPA said voting will take place in the coming days, except in Alberta where players cannot vote until the current agreement expires on May 29 at midnight.

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @PaulWiecek