Riders players participate in work stoppage on first day of CFL training camps

The first day of CFL camp was the first day of a work stoppage for members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

A deal wasn’t reached for a new collective bargaining agreement between the CFL and the player’s association by the deadline Sunday morning.

The CFLPA has begun a work stoppage in seven of the nine CFL markets – the Riders, Montreal Alouettes, Toronto Argonauts, B.C. Lions, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Ottawa Redblacks.

The Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders are expected to join the work stoppage when they are legally allowed to based on Alberta labour laws.

After a cancelled season in 2020 and then a shortened season in 2021, kicker and CFLPA player representative Brett Lauther said it’s been tough the past few years but the player’s union has never been stronger.

“This is my fourth time through a CBA, I’ve been around the block in the league for a while, and it was something that needed to be done. We’re just tired of taking the short end of the stick and hopefully, something like this leads to a true partnership,” Lauther said. “I’m hoping truly just going forward, because I love this league so much, that players for the next generation and well after my time can stand on our shoulders for what we decided to do.”

During negotiations, the CFL released a statement to fans and players sharing parts of what their final offer was. It was a move that Lauther said shows weakness in the league’s bargaining team.

“If I’m looking at it from a legal standpoint, there’s only one reason to go public and try to way public opinion — it’s because things aren’t going your way,” Lauther said. “You know for years you had a bit of the old boys club doing whatever they wanted and now we’re finally sticking up and standing up for ourselves.

“I want to be playing football like everyone else but I’m proud that we finally are the ones sticking up for ourselves.”

As the Riders’ player rep, Lauther and the CFLPA have dealt with a lot the past few years with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s been insane. Through COVID I gave up my Tuesday and Friday nights, had calls all the time but the guys have been great and I took the role,” Lauther said. “I’m just trying my best to keep them informed and get an actual fair deal done.”

While there was no formal practice at Griffiths Stadium Sunday, a number of players were doing their own drills and going for runs to keep their bodies ready for whenever they can take the field again.

While the practice was cancelled, some fans still were down at Griffiths.

“We were really looking forward to (camp). With COVID and everything, that’s something I look forward to every year, just seeing the Roughriders,” Christina Feist said. “It’s something that brings my spirits up and it’s really disappointing,”

Rick Spratt had driven from North Battleford to watch the first day of camp and wasn’t aware it was cancelled despite checking the schedule earlier in the morning.

“I’m disappointed,” Spratt said. “I’m just glad I’m here now. Some of the players are here stretching. It’s disappointing.”

While fans and players are both disappointed they aren’t out there playing, Lauther said the players have been great since word had come out a deal wouldn’t be in place.

“They know every step of the process … we’re all in it together and we’re just hoping to finally get something remotely fair from the league,” Lauther said. “It’s hour-by-hour and day-by-day and hopefully this gets done sooner rather than later.”