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Finally .........deer leader is leading from the front

 
Narper 2016-02-10 07:37:14 

too late?

 
Narper 2016-02-10 07:40:43 


Sammy's letter in full

To all concerned at WICB

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.

Darren Sammy

link

 
Narper 2016-02-10 07:43:59 



Darren Sammy's 2nd letter:

Thanks for the response, Michael.

Look, I do have some further comments and queries.

Firstly, as a group we don't accept that WIPA can represent us. WIPA became conflicted during its negotiations with you and compromised itself.

It could not and did not actively represent the best interests of all West Indies cricketers and is a major reason we are having this discussion.

The difference between the remuneration on offer from previous World Cups to this one is shocking and we cannot accept the terms on offer.

For instance, in the 2012 T20 World Cup the lowest paid player was guaranteed US$57,937. Thehighest was guaranteed US$137,045.

Figures were higher in 2014. Players were remunerated based on their experience as well.

You said that it was not possible to calculate a percentage to be paid to the players. Can you then inform us of the amount WICB received in the new payment structure from the ICC?

To now be offered just US$6,900 per match across the board irrespective of experience is totally unacceptable. Players are being asked to start providing services from nearly four weeks ahead of the World Cup and be guaranteed just US$27,600 if they play all the guaranteed matches (which) is a staggering reduction. We are looking, even on 2012 figures, (at) reductions of between 50-80%.

What happens if you do not make the playing XI?

If the team plays matches ahead of the tournament that are official T20 matches they should be remunerated as well. Since you have taken out the 25% share from ICC which was Guaranteed to the squad:

We suggest that 100% of prize money needs to be paid to the players as per previous tournaments. Twenty percent should not be retained by the WICB.

It is the players performing for the prize and further cuts are again completely unacceptable.

What is the sponsorship income that has been generated? We are being offered a percentage of what exactly? With the tournament a month away has the WICB locked in a sponsor? With the tournament happening in India we would expect that our squad has something of significant value to offer, or is the sponsorship income zero? We also suggest that the match fees be doubled from US$6,900.

In summary, we cannot accept the terms on offer. The players are not happy and understandably so with such big differences.

The previous structure worked and players were happy and understood it.

Please address this urgently.

Regards, Darren Sammy

 
Narper 2016-02-10 07:48:31 

Michael Muirhead's response

Dear Mr Sammy,

Thank you for your response.

Any issues you or a particular group of players may have with the representation you receive from your association, respectfully, 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.

Kindly note that the terms on offer were negotiated and agreed between WICB and WIPA with the assistance of representatives from the ICC and FICA during a mediation process last year, and all parties agreed that they were fair and equitable and acceptable to be offered to the members WI team selected for the relevant ICC Event.

As mentioned in my previous email to you, this information was shared with all players following that process in May last year. Players were given an opportunity to discuss the new structure and no concerns were raised at that time. It is disappointing that you would choose to question the terms now, on the eve of the WT20 in India.

Given the input and effort that went into reaching the agreement with respect to player compensation for ICC Events, WICB is not prepared to unilaterally vary the position at this time, or to negotiate different terms without the involvement or endorsement of WIPA.

The old hierarchical system of payment meant that the 15 man squad selected for a particular ICC Event received a grossly disproportionate amount of compensation for just that one event, with senior players gaining significantly more only on the basis of having played more international matches, whereas the new system means that 25% of the distributions received from ICC are placed into the player payment pool, from which players at all levels of West Indies Cricket can benefit.

In any event, as stated in my previous email, the WICB no longer receives any money from the ICC which is specifically linked to any one event.

It is unfortunate that you feel unable to accept the terms on offer.

We are looking forward to you accepting the terms on offer. We will await confirmation from each player as to whether he is accepting or refusing selection to the WI Team for the ICCWT20 2016.

If we should not hear from any player by February 14, as outlined in the email from Mr Holder, we will presume that you have refused selection for the event.

If you would like additional clarification on any of the issues raised in your mail, please do feel free to give me a call so that we can discuss.

Regards, Michael Muirhead Chief Executive Officer


link

 
doosra 2016-02-10 07:48:36 

Is there a 3rd letter as well?

 
Narper 2016-02-10 07:51:04 

In reply to doosra

Dinas is very busy?wink

 
doosra 2016-02-10 07:52:27 

In reply to Narper

Consultant?

 
doosra 2016-02-10 07:53:25 

Ceo said info was shared last may.

Wavell did not brief the players?

Oh wait 1/15

 
Narper 2016-02-10 07:54:13 

Kindly note that the terms on offer were negotiated and agreed between WICB and WIPA with the assistance of representatives from the ICC and FICA during a mediation process last year, and all parties agreed that they were fair and equitable and acceptable to be offered to the members WI team selected for the relevant ICC Event.


Hmmmmmm...looks like de bwoys in rough waters without a paddle?

 
Narper 2016-02-10 07:56:13 

In reply to doosra

In reply to Narper

Consultant?


Yesterday, on the radi, I heard it said that Ramnarine believes the WI players could get a much better deal...so obviously he is advising the players.

BTW...Dinas organizing a big farewell dinner for Shiv wink

 
doosra 2016-02-10 07:57:53 

In reply to Narper

Good on Dinas big grin

Truth is no matter their differences I think Dinas has always been a shiv fan

 
Verstehen 2016-02-10 08:01:09 

In reply to Narper

n any event, as stated in my previous email, the WICB no longer receives any money from the ICC which is specifically linked to any one event.


How have WICB executives salaries moved in the same time frame? I am assuming that these too were appropriately lowered in view of the economies that the players are being asked to undertake?

In fact if I were a Windian reporter, that's the first thing I'd look for.

 
doosra 2016-02-10 08:04:20 

In reply to Verstehen

Right but they are a private entity and can do as they please lol no?

 
Verstehen 2016-02-10 08:14:27 

In reply to doosra

Yeah but (a) they are responsible to the region, so they are not 'private in that sense and (b) If they have not reduced their salaries, it's a pretty damning indictment of their commitment.

 
positiveg 2016-02-10 08:19:37 

In reply to Verstehen

That's all you know
Someone has to ask the question.
If the players salaries were reduced and they are being paid by the parent company WICB, shouldn't the Prez, CEO and Board salary be reduced to seeing they too are being paid by the parent Company, the board?

 
FanAttick 2016-02-10 08:36:31 

In reply to Narper

Man unbought in IPL auction....every little bit of that money is needed to buttress his retirement coffers lol

 
doosra 2016-02-10 08:48:22 

In reply to Verstehen

Yeah but (a) they are responsible to the region, so they are not 'private in that sense and (b) If they have not reduced their salaries, it's a pretty damning indictment of their commitment.


are they?

social contract?

tax breaks? govt support?

 
WestDem 2016-02-10 08:49:30 

In reply to Narper

When did Sammy send the 1st letter?

 
WestDem 2016-02-10 08:51:07 

In reply to Verstehen

100% in agreement with you regarding their salaries. If you look at the difference of opinions right on this MB, you will get an answer of that disclosure.... lol lol lol Not gonna happen!

 
Verstehen 2016-02-10 08:58:13 

In reply to doosra

True, but I am speaking of their goal and their very reason for existence. Are they not representing the large region? Do they not have a commitment that extends beyond that of a private entity? Do they not represent the people? All of this means they cannot use the fig of 'private entity' to live the good life while asking economies of others. If indeed they are doing so. And Windies fans have a right to ask the question.

In reply to positiveg

Exactly.

In reply to WestDem

I guess so. Still couldn't help asking the question.

 
Discourse 2016-02-10 09:05:50 

Isn't this here very striking...

To now be offered just US$6,900 per match across the board irrespective of experience is totally unacceptable.

even if you do not make the first eleven

 
WestDem 2016-02-10 09:10:00 

In reply to Verstehen

Lots of people that think this is an employee/employer issue, need to understand the PLAYERS are the Revenue generator for the WICB...it says a lot when the Product have dispute with the Employer! cool

 
Tagwa1 2016-02-10 10:24:24 

In reply to Narper

He always did you just didn't know. Ask Commie?

 
Tagwa1 2016-02-10 10:26:31 

In reply to FanAttick

You missing it...

If it's one time you should support Sammy is now. If he wasnt fighting you would be the first one lambasting him on thread after thread.

Now he is firmly with your PDs still you can't give him a break.

 
WestDem 2016-02-10 10:29:35 

In reply to Tagwa1

FanAttick is torn between three lovers....Gayle/Wavell and Dave!!! lol lol lol

 
FuzzyWuzzy 2016-02-10 10:32:02 

In reply to WestDem

Any 11 players who take the field is the "product" not just a special 11.

 
carl0002 2016-02-10 10:47:56 

In reply to WestDem
What revenues the players generate for WICB as opposed to handouts from ICC. Or are you saying players generate handouts from the ICC. It seems like the reality of WI cricket coming home to roost and some not going to like it at all. lol lol

 
camos 2016-02-10 10:54:55 

In reply to carl0002

what are the sources of WICB annual revenue, we know off


.Digicel sponsorship & some smaller players

. CPL

.
money governments pay to host games

.IPL money

how much they get from ICC?

 
Commie 2016-02-10 11:01:17 

In reply to camos

You do know their are financials on their website which can end the need to speculate.

 
Narper 2016-02-10 12:16:10 

In reply to FanAttick

In reply to Narper

Man unbought in IPL auction....every little bit of that money is needed to buttress his retirement coffers lol


WICB could borrow some money from de Worl boss to pay de squad
wink

 
Slipfeeler 2016-02-10 17:52:19 

In reply to WestDem

Sammy leading his troop in the imminent battle against WICB and sounding like a future politician, especially now that he has T20 contracts, who needs WICB small money?

 
Narper 2016-02-11 14:23:30 

'Players never said they would strike' - Darren Sammy

Darren Sammy, captain of West Indies' World Twenty20 squad, has stressed that his side has never said they would strike or not take part in the tournament in India due to an ongoing contract impasse with the West Indies Cricket Board. Sammy reiterated that the players are unhappy with the remuneration offered by the WICB for participating in the tournament, which starts from March 8
.
"We players are not happy with the remuneration offered by the WICB to participate in the World Twenty20," Sammy told ESPNcricinfo. "We have not given any authorisation to WIPA to negotiate on our behalf. A large number of players in the squad do not receive any significant remuneration from WICB at all, so we want the opportunity to negotiate fairly the financial terms within the contract.

"In the past 25% of the income received by the WICB for participating in ICC tournaments was distributed to the squad. The remuneration being offered now compared to previous World Cup events is shocking to say the least. We are being offered now just $6,900 per match across the board irrespective of experience. Players are being asked to start providing services from nearly four weeks ahead of the World Cup and be guaranteed just $27,600 if they play all the guaranteed matches (which) is a staggering reduction. What happens to a player who does not feature in a match?

"The WICB say they cannot figure out what 25% of the participation fee is as the ICC's formula has changed. Surely they (WICB) must know a figure. What is it? We want the match fees to be doubled. I have also written to the WICB asking if they have got a sponsor for the team, and what is the sponsorship revenue. We need answers."


Link

 
Narper 2016-02-11 14:24:09 

"Still they [WIPA] are the ones WICB negotiates with on player issues. But 14 of the 15-member World Cup squad is not part of WIPA," Sammy said. "West Indies cricket has gone through a lot and it will continue to go through a lot. I don't see things changing anytime soon."

 
voiceofreason 2016-02-11 16:34:22 

In reply to WestDem


FanAttick is torn between three lovers....Gayle/Wavell and Dave!! smile LMAO!


Your best one yet! smile

 
Priapus 2016-02-11 16:38:53 

In reply to Narper

But are all the does standing in unison behind him? razz

 
jelfew 2016-02-11 18:55:46 

I remember someone writing the WICB to claim that he represents the players (In India) who subsequently walked off the job. No someone else is writing the WICB that he represents the players selected for the 20/20 world cup team.

I suppose we can expect someone else to write the WICB claiming to represent those players when a team for another occasion is selected. Goodbye WIPA according to these players but not according to the WICB and WIPA.

 
Narper 2016-02-11 19:00:52 

Sammy says all de contracts will be signed and returned before Valentine's day.

Tour on with a full strength team

 
mikesiva 2016-02-12 04:22:04 

In reply to Narper


Here's the latest from Sammy

Dear Sir,

As captain of the WT20 team, I wish that we can settle this matter and 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 cause 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.



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.



Notwithstanding the above, we ask that you consider our request to double the match fees, share 50% of sponsorship fees and award 100% of prize money to the players.



If you don't agree to the above, would you consider that this matter goes to mediation for a settlement.

We believe that the above options are fair and reasonable. We have compromised on our earlier request that original formula be used. We trust that the Board will also be willing to compromise.

 
Narper 2016-02-12 20:28:20 

In reply to mikesiva

Sounds like Dinas deh

wink

 
tc1 2016-02-12 22:22:31 

In reply to WestDem
F

anAttick is torn between three lovers....Gayle/Wavell and Dave!!!



Those yardies men are all bullars lol lol lol

 
TheTrail 2016-02-12 22:59:05 

WICB chief executive Michael Muirhead said the new contract pay structure had been discussed at mediation last May, agreed to by players’ union, the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), and communicated to all players. Since then, Muirhead said, the contracts had been used in three bilateral tours, so the WICB was now surprised by the latest development since it believed all outstanding contractual issues had been resolved. “It cannot be that [11 days before] they leave on the 20th [for the World Cup] that this group of players wants to come and renegotiate something or negotiate something that is different from what we had circulated,” Muirhead told CMC Sports.
- See more at:http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news

Dave and Muirhead playing hardball.

Let's see who will blink on Sunday.

 
Baje 2016-02-12 23:22:59 

In reply to Narper
No, this is a much level headed and non antagonistic response. Not Dinas style.

 
Narper 2016-02-12 23:37:07 

In reply to Baje

Ralph Thorne?