County Partnership Agreement update

Earlier this week the Professional Cricketers’ Association completed pre-season visits to all 18 First-Class County squads, which included an update of the proposed County Partnership Agreement.

Attended by 89% of the professional players in England and Wales over four weeks, the PCA presented to players on the progress of their negotiations and created an open forum to air any views or concerns which directly affect players.

With lots of detail already presented to the PCA Committee at February’s AGM and previous player summits, the latest information on the CPA was explained to the wider playing membership after a process of 16-months of negotiation with all counties and the ECB.

The engaging meetings also included other important topics such as the finances of the PCA, education on expected behaviours on social media, information on increased insurance options as well as news on member benefits and personal development opportunities.

PCA Chief Executive David Leatherdale led the visits along with Director of Development and Welfare Ian Thomas, Player Contracts Advisor Rich Hudson and Membership Services Manager Ali Prosser.

Following the conclusion of the meetings, Leatherdale has provided an update on the current situation.

“Our annual pre-season meetings took on extra importance in 2019 and we were eager to discuss the finer details of the proposed agreement with our playing members. It’s very important that we get the players to stop, reflect and look at the bigger picture in such a busy time with the season now just days away.

“The County Partnership Agreement has been a negotiation which started in November 2017 and through consultation we set out our four non-negotiable principles: to implement a fixed minimum wage, a raise in the salary collar, cap and to ensure every player benefits from the new broadcast deal.

“The proposed deal will ensure these principles are achieved and the sessions have created encouraging discussion.

“The feedback in our meetings has been very positive to reaffirm our position in championing the ongoing interest of our members as we move into a monumental shift in the game.

“Originally due to be signed off in November 2018, a number of pushbacks from the PCA meant this had to be delayed and we are now aiming for sign off in early summer. As the PCA Constitution states, the PCA reps will vote on the proposed deal when we are 100% confident, we have achieved the best deal possible for players.

“In order to do this, we are now collating all feedback in collaboration with our reps to move the process forward.”