Sammy wants mediation ...as selectors meet to pick new squad

Sammy wants mediation

...as selectors meet to pick new squad
Andre Baptise
Vinode Mamchan
Published:
Thursday, February 11, 2016
West Indies cricket selectors were yesterday mandated by the WICB to select a new 15-man squad to represent the region in the upcoming ICC T20 World which bowls off on March 8, in India.

The four-man panel of Clive Lloyd (chairman), Courtney Browne, Eldine Baptiste and Courtney Walsh were involved in a teleconference that is likely to result in a new team for the tournament, if the demands of Darren Sammy and the other 14 players who have asked for their contracts to be renegotiated are not accepted by the WICB.

Yesterday, chief executive officer of the Board, Michael Muirhead urged Sammy to take up any issue which he and his players had with WIPA.

“Any issues you or a particular group of players may have with the representation you receive from your association are best taken up with WIPA. As it stands however, WIPA is the exclusive collective bargaining agent for West Indian players—regardless of who those particular players may be at any given time.”

Muirhead said it was unfortunate that members of the squad was unable to accept the terms on offer. “If we should not hear from any player by February 14, we will presume that you have refused selection,” added Muirhead

Responding to Muirhead’s letter, Sammy called for mediation which would mean players signing contracts and leaving it in the hands of an independent mediation team to determine the rights and wrongs after the World Cup.

Sammy requested match fees be doubled, 50 per cent of sponsorship fees and 100 per cent of prize money. “If you don't agree to the above, would you consider that this matter goes to mediation for a settlement?”

Sammy said the players believe their requests were reasonable. “We have compromised on our earlier request that original formula be used. We trust that the Board will also be willing to compromise.”

He said he was hopeful that the issue could be settled so that the players could focus on preparations for the tournament. “I want to state on behalf of the players that we want to play and will represent the West Indies to the best of our abilities. The embarrassment and fiasco of the Indian tour which was called off by the Board must not be allowed to happen. However, it is the arrogance and high-handedness of the Board which caused these problems. You cannot continue to force players to be represented by a body that they are not members of and do not want to represent them. You cannot continue to be unfair and unreasonable.”

Issues like this will continue to plague West Indies cricket unless you have an MOU and arrangements for non-WIPA players are fair and just. “We are aware that, win or lose, this may well be the last tournament for most of us as reprisals will set in but we will speak out for what is fair. We are players and we know that unless radical changes take place, players will always have the grievance of which we complain,” stated Sammy.

“We simply find it bizarre that the Board does not know how much it will receive from the ICC for the tournament! How you receive the value may be spread over time but you surely should know what the income is.”

Wouldn't there be legal implications if the West Indies Cricket Board should negotiate with players and broker a new payment deal Players without the inclusion of WIPA? WIPA is the legally recognized organization for negotiations involving the board and the players. There are some players who have been voicing their dissatisfaction the leadership of WIPA for a number of years, however, they made no attempt to have the leadership change. They have now returned to the similar hijacking tactic which had caused that fiasco in that tour of India in 2014.