Federal mediator appointed over CBA talks

[CatMan72]

Seems to me that if nothing else this guy can report back on whether or not both parties are negotiating in good faith.

[CatMan72]

...in other words, his presence should encourage both parties to play nice or risk the possibility of having a court judgement levied against them for not negotiating in good faith.

[Mr. Scot]

Third parties have been known to help when things get contentious.

[mountainpantherfan]

This is great because this wasn't forced on either side. They both agreed to allow the FMCS to come in to help. That's really good news as far as a deal getting done sooner rather than later.

Hopefully this will get both sides to see where they area in the wrong and get this deal done.

[Mr. Scot]

This is great because this wasn't forced on either side. They both agreed to allow the FMCS to come in to help. That's really good news as far as a deal getting done sooner rather than later.

Hopefully this will get both sides to see where they area in the wrong and get this deal done.

The offer to mediate had been made by the FMCS before. Both sides essentially said they wouldn't resort to that approach unless they were at a complete impasse.

Fill in the blank... :(

[mountainpantherfan]

The offer to mediate had been made by the FMCS before. Both sides essentially said they wouldn't resort to that approach unless they were at a complete impasse.

Fill in the blank... :(

I understand your point but we already knew they were at a complete impasse, hell even before it happened. Just one or both sides could have refused this help until a judge mandated it to them. The simple fact that they didn't wait until then at least shows their is some true sense of wanting to get a deal down before March 4.

I honestly can't believe either side agreed to this so to me thats good news.

[Mr. Scot]

I understand your point but we already knew they were at a complete impasse, hell even before it happened. Just one or both sides could have refused this help until a judge mandated it to them. The simple fact that they didn't wait until then at least shows their is some true sense of wanting to get a deal down before March 4.

I honestly can't believe either side agreed to this so to me thats good news.

Oh, I feel positive about it, and will continue to unless I see something that makes me feel otherwise.

The important thing for fans to remember is that this is mediation, not binding arbitration. This guy has no power to make either side do a single thing.

He's only there to help facilitate the negotiations. In that role, he'll only be as effective as the two sides allow him to be.

[HSCBandit07]

I'm surprised someone hasn't touched on the strategy of making ridiculous or vastly unpopular demands in order to gain leverage when forming a "compromise" which is what this whole 18 game schedule might amount to. (countered by free insurance for life)

[HSCBandit07]

What they need is the NFLRA to mediate, and televise the meetings

:lurk5:

[HSCBandit07]

I've been critical of the government getting involved in the steroid stuff, etc, etc.. but I believe this is something the government should get involved in, the impact of an NFL lockout would have repercussions well beyond football and we can't afford that.

I hope you aren't alluding to The Fed getting involved :eek:

[Mr. Scot]

The FMCS is a federal agency.

[HSCBandit07]

Stay out of this Bernanke

[Jangler]

I've been critical of the government getting involved in the steroid stuff, etc, etc.. but I believe this is something the government should get involved in, the impact of an NFL lockout would have repercussions well beyond football and we can't afford that.

This is not like Congress looking into steroids in baseball.

[Mr. Scot]

The union is now talking about a "vow of silence".

So either they've decided not to try negotiating through the media or DeMaurice Smith is becoming a monk.