Ryan Cave, Executive with the United Football Players Association (UFPA) and a project field organizer with the United Steelworkers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the new United States Football League’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, his past labor negotiations and what the UFPA has planned next.
Following the successful year 1 return of the USFL, Cave and the UFPA found themselves wanting to improve the lives of the USFL players, and with previous experience working with the USW, the UFPA found a welcome partner to assist in organizing the USFL players. The new CBA was officially agreed upon before Season 2 begins on April 14th. Active players have seen their weekly salaries increase nearly 19 percent, while inactive players saw their weekly salaries nearly double. Along with the salary increases, players now receive a weekly 401k contribution and a weekly housing allowance.
Cave, a former professional football player himself, shared his past experiences with negotiating CBAs for other professional leagues. At this time, he has participated in and successfully negotiated three different contracts in his career, two with the Arena Football League Players Association and now one with the UFPA on behalf of the USFL.
Cave and the UFPA aren’t done trying to help protect professional football players in spring football leagues. With the return of the XFL under new ownership, Cave shared how former players of the USFL and other unionized leagues reached out to the UFPA to request their help in organizing. After a whirlwind two-week process, they were able to file with the National Labor Relations Board for unionization and are getting ready now for a pre-election hearing. The organizing with the XFL is coming along rapidly.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.