'Take It Or Leave it...'

The West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) is deeply alarmed at the decision taken by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to bypass the official and legitimate representative body of West Indies players and to negotiate individually with the players the terms and conditions relating to the Tri Nation series in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, involving Australia, India and the West Indies.

What is particularly disturbing is that the premature action by the Board was taken while negotiations were still continuing. The basic tenets of good industrial relations have been flouted by the Board. WIPA cannot help but conclude that the WICB continues to show total disregard and disrespect for the players' organization and the players themselves.

To allege that time was against the Board and that it needed to conclude negotiations for the series is clearly indicative of its last-minute approach to negotiations and its internal problems that should not be inflicted on the players and the cricketing public.

WIPA reiterates that it has a responsibility to both its members and the cricketing public. It cannot concur on eleventh hour pressure to coerce players to sign agreements where their interest and welfare have not been fully taken into consideration. This would be tantamount to "acceding to blackmail?.

WIPA totally rejects the undermining of the negotiations by the WICB particularly since all the facts in its release have not been fully divulged.

WIPA wishes to point out that this series is outside the Future Tour Programme (Overseas Programme).

In the circumstances the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding agreed to by the WICB and WIPA must be observed and it states, inter alia, under the heading:

(a) Finalization of Programmes

(i) The WICB and the WIPA will agree on an annual basis, prior to WICB finalizing arrangements relevant to the regional programme and the overseas programme (including dates, locations, travel and accommodation arrangements). The WICB will provide the WIPA with reasonable opportunity to consider the proposed arrangements prior to adoption.

Furthermore, from the inception of our several agreements, it was clearly established that matches outside the Overseas Programme (FTP) would be essentially a revenue earner for both parties. WIPA articulated this position making it clear that it wanted to share in any profits generated from tours outside the Overseas Programme (FTP).

During the course of the negotiations WIPA reduced its initial proposal on two occasions to the WICB as part of a compromise. On the other hand the WICB has not done the same regarding its first proposal which remained its final proposal. Indeed, it adopted "a take it or leave it attitude". WIPA consider this approach by the WICB an anathema to basic and good industrial relations practice and typical of the approach that would have been applied 80 years ago.

What is particularly disquieting from WIPA's stand point is the apparent "divide and rule" approach. WIPA only became aware of the deadline and ultimatum from the players who were being contacted individually. This action by the WICB was being undertaken by the WICB even in the midst of negotiations between the WICB and WIPA as it was at that time after WIPA was making its second offer that we were informed by the WICB of its decision to go directly to players. This is another clear manifestation that the WICB was not negotiating in good faith.

WIPA notes with dismay that, while the WICB was quick to provide the quantum of money purportedly to be given to players, the Board is conspicuously silent to the public on how much it will receive from this series.

While WIPA received some financial details about this event on Monday 31st July, WIPA is yet to receive information that it has requested pertaining to the name of the team's sponsor for the event, the obligations of the players and the value of the sponsorship deal.

WIPA further points out that by participation in this series, the Champions Trophy and the Pakistan tour will result in travel savings to the Board of approximately $300,000.00 USD. It is also of interest to note as well that the players would be away on tour for well over three months.

WIPA is therefore surprised and disappointed at the inadequacy of the information provided as well as the misrepresentation of facts in the WICB's release to the public. It condemns the ultimatum given to players and the subverting of good industrial actions upon which trust and responsibility depend.

We are fully committed to resolving this matter in the interest of West Indies cricket and the cricket loving public of the region and sincerely hope for an observance of the type of industrial relations and negotiating standards that the region would expect from WIPA and the WICB.