Deal Reached; Carib Semis Start Sat

After breaking off talks last evening and insisting the players' association must prove its legitimacy before the pay dispute could be resolved, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) now says it will recognise WIPA as the bargaining agent for all players, a concession that allows the Carib Beer semi-finals to proceed.

After WIPA called a strike which jettisoned the start of the Carib Beer International Series playoffs, the two sides entered into another negotiating round and a deal was hammered out with the help of industrial relations expert Evelyn Greaves.

The WICB now says it will recognise WIPA as the bargaining agent for all players as long as it is satisfied about the authenticity of its membership. Both sides also agreed to pursue training in leadership and industrial relations.

Details of the agreement were not releasted but both sides say they have settled on the way forward to address pay increase for all the region's first class cricketers. Extended negotiations will begin next week with assistance from industrial relations advisors.

The WICB and WIPA have also agreed to establish collective bargaining procedures between the board and WIPA.