Players union accuses NRL official of an act of industrial espionage during crucial negotiations

The ongoing stalemate between the NRL and the players over the new collective bargaining agreement has touched more difficult waters with the league accused of covertly recording negotiations without consent.

The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) and the NRL have been trying to kill off the CBA since last year with a series of conditions for players that the governing body of the game has yet to meet. game.

The RLPA’s demands include a new medical support fund to cover surgery costs for NRL and NRLW players after they retire, a separate CBA for the NRLW, better conditions, contracts and wages for low-income people, a new program for former players, an injury hardship fund. a greater part of the income from the game.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo came face to face with around 60 players at the annual Leaders in League conference last Friday.

NRL boss Andrew Abdo came face to face with around 60 NRL players at the Leaders in League conference, where an official was accused of covertly recording conversations.

Now, the RLPA has accused the NRL of using an uninvited employee to covertly record conversations between Abdo and the players.

He Sydney Morning Herald has published a letter from Rugby League Players Association boss Deidre Anderson to Australian Rugby League chairman Peter V’landys and his board, criticizing them for their actions.

“To ensure an open and honest environment for Andrew and the players, this session was not allowed to be filmed or recorded and no media representatives were present,” part of the letter read.

“What followed next is nothing short of illegal which, on the face of it, seriously calls into question the integrity of the NRL, its executive and its culture.”

Harry Grant first raised the issue of the CBA at the Rugby League World Cup last year, saying the NRL was ‘cutting down’ players on pay and conditions.

Kurt Capewell said strike was a possibility: “We don’t want it to come to (a players’ strike) but if the NRL is going to sit back on its heels and not move, who knows where it will go.”

Cowboys co-captain Chad Townsend listed the players’ demands on social media, saying the salary cap announcement was a ploy by the NRL to hamper action in the CBA.

The RLPA said a player asked the question after seeing the employee recording conversations.

Several veteran NRL players, including Melbourne Storm star Harry Grant, Brisbane Broncos utility man Kurt Capewell and North Queensland Cowboys co-captain Chad Townsend, have previously said the players would be willing to strike. if the CBA’s demands are not met.

According to the RLPA, the employee was asked if he was recording, which he denied twice, before being asked to show his mobile phone, which clearly showed that recording software was being used.

An RLPA official pressed the employee on the issue, stating that “they had been acting on the instructions of another NRL executive.”

RPLA CEO Clint Newton addressed the NRL employee who was allegedly recording conversations

‘After the session, [RPLA CEO] clint [Newton] addressed the matter separately with (the referee) and Andrew, and advised that the gaming group and the RLPA are aware of the incident due to the public nature of what unfolded, and that the RLPA will need to properly consider our options with the next steps taken. the seriousness of the matter’, the letter continued.

‘Now I don’t feel I need to say how troubling these actions were. The deliberate and covert nature of the recording is impressive. It is immoral, unethical and illegal.

There was no consent given to record. In fact, there was no attempt to obtain consent.

V’landys did not comment on the accusations, but the daily telegraph has reported that it has promised to investigate the allegations.

“We have received a private and confidential letter, so I do not wish to comment on the letter,” V’landys said.

‘But I have made commitments with the president of the RLPA and one of the players’ representatives, and I will honor that commitment. I will comply 100% with my commitment to them”.