NFL players and officials unions meet as official negotiations with the NFL remain at an impasse

As a potential work stoppage between the NFL and it’s officials looms, representatives from the players’ and officials’ unions met today to discuss player safety.

In a news release, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) said that J.C. Tretter, executive director of the NFLPA and Scott Green, executive director of the NFL Referees Association (NFLRA), discussed “growing concerns regarding the potential use of lower-level replacement officials in NFL games if a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the League and NFLRA is not reached before the start of the preseason.”

Both Tretter and Green agree that any replacement official will not have the experience and judgement to keep up with the fast-paced and emotional pro game.

“Player safety requires trained, professional officials on the field,” said Tretter in the news release. “They manage the game in real time, enforce the rules, and stop situations from escalating. That can’t be replaced by less experienced crews or handled remotely. If player safety truly matters, trained professional officials on the field are not negotiable.”

In the same release, Green added, “(Professional officials) are the first responders on the field – maintaining order, enforcing rules, and preventing dangerous situations from escalating.”

The main sticking points between the NFLRA and the NFL appear to be accountability, professional development, and pay. The NFL wants officiating to improve. At the NFL owners meeting, commissioner Roger Goodell commented, “We think we owe that to the game, we think we owe it to our players, coaches, and our fans. So, that’s what we’re focused on.”

Green says the NFLRA is still hopeful that the NFL and the officials’ union can reach a new contract without any labor stoppage.

If there is a work stoppage, a newly-passed rule will allow centralized replay expanded authority to step in and correct any officiating errors.

But, the NFLPA and NFLRA both urged the NFL to work with the officials and make a new contract a priority “that protects players and preserves the integrity of NFL officiating.”