Human Resources
The National Football League Players Association is the officially recognized National Football League (NFL) union for its players. The union was formed in 1956, over 35 years after the NFL was organized, but was unable to attain recognition and a collective bargaining agreement until 1970.
The union has been faced with many obstacles over the years, including its lapse as a union from 1989 -1993, the 1982 NFL strike, the unsuccessful strike of 1987, that lead to decertification. The union has suffered a number of trials and tribulations throughout the years, the untimely passing of Executive Director, Gene Upshaw, on August 20, 2008, to the recent litigation by retirees for unpaid loyalties. They continue to represent the overall interest of the players with the NFL.
Members of the AFL-CIO, the NFLPA represents both active and retired players of the NFL. The NFLPA handles a variety of tasks for its members, by first and foremost representing players in an effort to protect their rights concerning wages, hours, and working conditions. In addition negotiate the terms of collective bargaining agreements between the National Football League and its players, examine and negotiate retirement and insurance benefits. As well as, provide membership services and activities, including providing assistance with charity and community organizations. Most importantly, they work to promote a positive image and reputation of the NFL players they represent.
Players who are members of The National Football League Players Association elect a Player Representative and an Alternate Player Representative to serve on the Board of Player Representatives. Those Player Representatives get all of their power from the members who have elected them. The board meets once a year, at minimum, to make important decisions for the organization. These decisions often include, adopting an annual budget, electing a President, 10 Vice-Presidents,...
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