NBA v. NBPA

Now that the NFL has resolved its spat with the players with a long term deal, its time for the National Basketball Association (NBA) to take center stage on the sports/labor dispute front. The NBA presses two claims against the Players' Association (NBPA). The first is an unfair labor practice charge claiming the NBPA is refusing to bargain in good faith by threatening a sham decertification. The second is a federal court suit to declare the NBA does not violate the anti-trust laws if it voids all existing player contracts if the decertification is held lawful. I understand the former, and its a text book move given the judicial treatment of the issues in the NFL/NFLPA dispute. But the latter seems a public relations mistake, and probably preempted.

"Jersey Shore" cast "strikes"

Now that our baseball league has concluded, its time to get back to serious, regular blogging. Today we start with conduct which may constitute a labor dispute. It seems cast members of "Jersey Shore" have instituted a "strike" for new contracts. Apparently they can make more money from personal appearances than they can filming the show. Better be careful here and make sure that conduct is collective and protected.