The resurgent labor movement raises questions for employers on how to respond to or otherwise address such issues. The first collective bargaining agreement between the National Women's Soccer League and the union representing its players, the National Women's Soccer League Players Association, provides some guidance.
The two groups agreed to their first ever CBA in January. The agreement is principally concerned with nuts-and-bolts employer-employee issues, such as setting a minimum salary, and establishing a 401(k), health insurance, and other benefits, including paid pregnancy and mental health leave.
What is remarkable about the CBA is the level of cooperation and interdependence reflected in its provisions. While sports leagues and their counterpart unions often profess shared goals, they often do so in between spats of litigation or threatened litigation.
Boston senior counsel Chris Deubert provides Expert Analysis for Law360 on the lessons that other industries and employers can take from these successful negotiations.
The full article is available here.