Players informed on Thursday that wages will be cut to differing degrees with sport still suspended
21:00, 16 Apr 2020
Players at the Super League clubs must decide whether to accept pay cuts(Image: Getty Images)
Super League players must decide whether to accept pay cut proposals put to them by their clubs on Thursday.
The move came after clubs held a conference call on Wednesday afternoon where it was agreed that the measure needs to be implemented to protect their long-term futures.
Although that was a collective decision, each club will take their own approach to the size and timescale of cuts. Announcements are expected over the next 24 hours with letters having already been sent out to players.
Those players are now in talks with general union the GMB, whose membership has grown to cover over three-quarters of the Super League squads in recent weeks.
Head rep Garreth Carvell, the former Great Britain prop said: “We’re discussing all the proposals with the players now and explaining what their rights are.
GMB union head rep Garreth Carvell has been in talks with players and clubs(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“There was quite a bit of confusion from some over what the letters actually mean but we’ve starting to explain that to them now and put their minds at rest. Whether they agree to the proposals is ultimately up to them and it will be on a club-by-club basis.
“There is an understanding from players that something needs to happen during the furlough period. At the moment when there’s no rugby being player clubs can’t make any money and still have outgoings.
“There will need to be more talks when matches start again and we have a better idea of how the season will look, but we obviously need to wait for government guidelines on that.”
Every English Super League club had already taken advantage of the furloughing measures introduced by the government, with wages then being topped up to different extents.
Super League was put on hold after the Castleford versus St Helens match in March(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
But confirmation of definite cuts will underline the financial position of the sport while it waits to hear whether it has secured government funding.
The RFL are thought to have been among the first sport to push its case for central help, basing it on the importance that rugby league has within its communities. That has earned support from a number of MPs, but confirmation of any backing has not yet arrived.
The latest Sky Sports’ quarterly payment to the game for exclusive television rights is understood to have been made, covering their commitment until the end of June and offering some breathing space.
But the lack of match day income has significantly stretched all clubs, and there has been a desire to be proactive to help preserve the sport’s existence.