Bombers quiet as rumours swirl about tentative CFL labour deal

Posted: 6:16 PM CDT Sunday, Jun. 8, 2014

As details of a tentative new CFL labour deal swirled on Sunday, several Blue Bombers players were keeping mum on the specifics — publicly, at least.

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As details of a tentative new CFL labour deal swirled on Sunday, several Blue Bombers players were keeping mum on the specifics — publicly, at least.

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This article was published 08/06/2014 (4150 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As details of a tentative new CFL labour deal swirled on Sunday, several Blue Bombers players were keeping mum on the specifics — publicly, at least.

After wrapping their walkthrough at Investors Group Field on Sunday afternoon, quarterback Drew Willy said he hadn’t really seen the details yet. Neither had veteran linebacker Korey Banks, though he vowed to get back to media once he’d had some time to digest it. Offensive lineman Glen January, the Bombers’ CFLPA rep, said he preferred to keep tight-lipped before the “fragile” deal had been ratified. “Until it’s signed, I wouldn’t do anything that puts it in jeopardy,” he said.

Even defensive back Alex Suber, who Tweeted some frustration with the situation on Saturday night – “That was a waste of time,” he wrote, then added “back to Football; It never left” — was focused straight ahead. “I just want it to get over with, so we can play,” he said. “I’m just happy to play, man. It’s kind of been boring, that’s (the CBA) the only thing you guys talk about.”

Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg Blue Bombers' quarterback Drew Willy, during practice at Investors Group Field, Sunday, June 8, 2014. — Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press Winnipeg Blue Bombers' quarterback Drew Willy, during practice at Investors Group Field, Sunday, June 8, 2014.

The tentative deal meant there will be no strike on Monday, and the Bombers will host the Toronto Argonauts in the first exhibition game of the year, as planned. That was good enough for Willy, who will start the game on Monday. “Obviously, we knew this morning that we’d be playing,” Willy said. “Everything goes as planned now, we just make sure we’re mentally and physically ready to go.”

The tentative agreement reportedly features a 2014 salary cap of $5 million, up from $4.4 million last year but far below the $6.24 million the CFLPA originally sought, and a ratification bonus ranging from $1,500 for rookies to $12,000 for the most veteran players. The CFLPA also reportedly won the removal of the option-year clause on non-rookie contracts, which was one of their top asks.

In other news, the Bombers released receiver Juaquin Iglesias on Sunday, less than 24 hours after they announced they’d signed the former Toronto Argonaut on Saturday evening.