Scott Flory succeeds Mike Morreale as CFLPA president
Upcoming labour talks top his agenda
The Canadian Football League Players' Association has elected a new executive committee as it prepares for the next round of labour talks with the league.
Scott Flory has been elected president, Jay McNeil will serve as first vice-president and Marwan Hage of the Ottawa RedBlacks will serve as second vice-president, the CFLPA said Monday in a statement.
Flory succeeds Mike Morreale as president. The 2014-15 executive committee also includes third vice-president Jeff Keeping of the Toronto Argonauts and treasurer Brian Ramsay of the Edmonton Eskimos.
The CFLPA is set to hold talks with the league April 10-11.
"This CBA negotiation, coinciding as it does with the start of the league's new five-year deal with TSN, is a perfect time to revisit some of the past revenue concessions made by the CFL players and negotiate a deal that is fair and reasonable for both the players and the league," Flory said.
Player health and safety issues, career transitioning and pension improvements are also expected to be discussed. The league's current collective bargaining agreement with the players expires May 30.
Flory said he is expecting changes going forward.
"Our members have worked hard to provide high-calibre entertainment on the field, as well as a strong CFL presence in their communities, both of which have contributed significantly to the success of the league," he said. "While the CFLPA agrees that we must remain sensible and smart about our business, the burden of financial responsibility is not one that can or should be borne solely by the players.
"While we want to continue to play the game that we love, we will not play the 2014 season under the terms of the current CBA."
In a release earlier in the month, commissioner Mark Cohon said labour negotiations will be kept private.
"Out of respect for this important process, and for our players, I never discuss negotiations in the media or in public," Cohon said. "We are committed to working towards a fair and reasonable agreement with our players. We want to be fair to them and keep our league on the path to being strong as well as stable."
The 2014 season is slated to begin June 26 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers home to the Toronto Argonauts.