Let's Call Time-Out On Unionizing College Football Players

Forbes ^ | April 1, 2014 | George Leef

[reaganaut1]

Last week, a regional director of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled that because members of Northwestern University’s football team seem close enough to “employees” of the university to satisfy the statutory definition, they can proceed in their stated desire for union representation.

The United Steelworkers union, hoping for a transfusion of dues money, helped the activist players, led by quarterback Kain Colter, push their petition for a union certification election. Conceivably, the union could wind up negotiating on behalf of the Northwestern players with the university over all matters that are subjects of collective bargaining under the law – compensation, hours, benefits, and working conditions.

This is unprecedented. Unions currently represent quite a few workers at universities, including faculty members, but not undergraduates who are on sports teams. Regional director Peter Ohr, who made the ruling, points out that the players receive compensation, even if it’s not taxable cash, in the form of scholarships and training; also, they are required to put in a lot of heavily supervised time relating to the team if they want to continue to play. That is enough, in his view, to bring them under the definition of employees, and therefore eligible to seek union representation under the National Labor Relations Act.

[kingattax]

football is a cash cow for colleges.

midget basketball is more competitive and entertaining though. more should be done to promote it.

[RinaseaofDs]

I literally can’t wait to watch this happen. Between this and the BCS shyte of the last decade I’ve been waiting to see everyone concerned blow this up.

It’s going to literally be fun to watch.

[massgopguy]

How does this only applying to Private schools not violate the 14th Amendment?

[PapaNew]

Let's Call Time-Out A Penalty On Unionizing College Football Players

[RinaseaofDs]

It does violate the 14th Amendment, but if you are Big Labor, and you are swirling the bowl, and you had folks in high places driving around the block repeatedly trying to prop up the perpetual political contribution machine that is Big Labor, the rule of law appears on page 4 of the search results.

[RatRipper]

This move by the NLRB stinks for a lot of reasons. But as with most Obama moves, this is directed at destroying something that has become fundamental to our way of life. Imagine what a change it would be if Obama found a way to neuter one of the most popular sports in America that serves as a training ground of the NFL.

Sure, college football needs some reforms, but change should ABSOLUTELY NOT come from the federal government, especially the commie Obama administration and his hand-picked NLRB lackeys.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Union dues to the SWU [spit!] and...more “high risk” members enrolled in ObamaCare. ‘Cuz you know Northwestern Univ ain’t offering full health bennies to the student/players.

Torn ACL last season? No problem, you are covered!
Graduated with no more playtime? No problem you are covered!
Can’t find a job in Social Popcorn Services? No problem, you are covered!
Want to claim disability for your ACL injury 8 years ago? No problem, you are covered!

Matter of fact, I see this as impetus to cover all “studentia” in universities -both public & private- in the US under MugabeCare.

[ken5050]

This is going to run smack dab into Title IX. Think it's nuts when the Feds make parents tear down bleachers? Just wait until colleges start dumping nearly all women's athletics.

BTW..just who is this Rumagi Huma, the self-styled union head. Where'd he come from?

[gusty]

I do not believe it violates the 14th Amendment, and if I’m wrong then we are doomed for all eternity. By stating that by only applying to private universities it violates the Constitution is putting one on the same side of the scum who trashed the Wisconsin legislature day by day a few years ago. If it is true that athletes at STATE run universities are also covered, then government unions will be entrenched for ever, and there will be nothing the voters/taxpayers can do about it. The policies of STATE institutions are governed by the elected officials of said state, not by the NLRB.