Report: NFLPA files grievance against NFL over personal conduct policy
The NFL Players Association filed an expedited grievance on Thursday against the National Football League, challenging the league's newly implemented personal conduct policy, reports ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter.
The NFLPA says the policy violates the collective bargaining agreement and is seeking a cease and desist order to stop the policy from being implemented.
The league’s owners approved the new personal conduct policy last month. The policy mandates that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell should maintain a role when a player files an appeal, and that players are still paid while being investigated and charged with violent crimes.
"We and the public firmly believe that all NFL personnel should be held accountable to a stronger, more effective conduct policy. Clearly, the union does not share that belief," the NFL said in a statement, according to USA Today.
According to Schefter, the players union claims that the NFL signed off on the policy without its consent, citing Article 2, Section 1 of the collective bargaining agreement, which that states provisions of the CBA "supersedes any conflicting provisions in the Settlement Agreement, the NFL Constitution and Bylaws, the NFL Rules, or any other document affecting terms and conditions of employment of NFL players."
The NFLPA sent a memo to the league calling for the league to be more transparent and consistent when it comes to disciplining players.
The league and Goodell were forced to revised the personal conduct policy in the wake of negative publicity over cases this season involving former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy.
- Scooby Axson
