CA, ACA hold ‘productive’ talks to resolve pay dispute

Australia

Cricket365
July 23, 2017

Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland and his Australia Cricketers Association (ACA) counterpart Alistair Nicholson met for “productive discussions” on Sunday to resolve the pay dispute.

It was reported on Saturday that talks between the CA and the ACA had once again stalled but the board insists progress is being made in the negotiations.

More than 200 Australian players, including Steve Smith and David Warner, are currently unemployed after they refused to sign A new MoU agreement which expired at the end of last month.

A CA spokesman said on Sunday: “Cricket Australia will not comment on details of the negotiation but productive discussions were held today and progress is being made on a range of issues.

“We have been in constant communication with the ACA and we are expecting further meetings on the negotiation to continue over the coming days.”

Nicholson said the players were determined to sort out an agreement so they could focus on getting back on the field.

The ACA’s Nicholson said: “The previous MoU took almost 18 months to draft following an in-principle position being reached by both parties.

“Reaching in principle agreement is what the players have attempted to do this week as a way of breaking the deadlock and not jeopardising any more cricket.

“The players in the latest ACA offer have moved a long way. We are seeking the same kind of movement from CA.”