I am sending this as captain of the West Indies T20 side and as a collective representative of the 15 man squad selected for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
We have collectively discussed the remuneration on offer to participate in the T20 World Cup. Considering that 14 out of the 15 man squad are not part of WIPA - and hence have not given authorisation to WIPA to negotiate on our behalf - and a large number do not receive any significant remuneration from WICB at all, we want the opportunity to negotiate fairly the financial terms within the contract.
The 2015 World Cup took place with the WI squad remunerated under the terms and conditions that had been in place for the World Cups previous - ie that 25% of income received by the WICB for participating in the tournament was distributed to the squad.
We do not understand - nor accept - just 1 year later being offered contracts to participate in a major ICC World Cup that show such huge financial reductions.
We want to represent the West Indies but the financials on offer we can't accept.
Obviously I am not privy to exact numbers paid to the WICB from the ICC, but I understand USD $8m will be paid to the Board.
Traditionally 25% has been paid to the squad. That would equate to USD $2m / 15 therefore approximately USD $133,000 per player.
Worse case scenario the squad would earn $414,000 collectively under the terms of the contract offered by WICB to participate in the T20 World Cup 2016. That is just over 5%. A staggering difference, a near 80% reduction.
We want to propose we participate in the T20 World Cup 2016 under the same terms we have represented the West Indies in previous tournaments.
Please can you address this urgently. The T20 World Cup is just a matter of weeks away.
It looks as though Muirhead is in no mood to negotiate:
Quote:"The WICB is committed to play in the tournament, let me say that first," Muirhead said on Hitz 92fm.
"No one will leave the shores of the West Indies without signing a contract and if these players in particular choose not to sign, then I guess we'll be left with no option but to substitute other players for them."
Muirhead added that the board was not in a position to improve the renumeration package, negotiated with the players association nine months ago.
"They have had lots of time to digest and argue and do everything," he said.
"Five of the players were instrumental and were there at the onset, so at this point, I'm hoping that the players will sign and take advantage of the other benefits that are there."
He said that players would receive half of any shirt sponsorship the board negotiates in addition to a portion of prize money.
The WICB wants to shaft the players and fill their pockets! However, this point still stands true!
Quote: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.
so basically, they got the players by the balls! Since the players did NOT change the negotiating parties! Something which you think they would have done after the India fiasco!
