WIPA boss Ramnarine slams WICB

“WIPA cannot help but conclude that the WICB continues to show total disregard and disrespect for the players’ organisation and the players themselves,” he continued.

There were lots of uncertainty over West Indies’ participation in the series, scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Singapore, due to disagreements over payments to players.

On Friday, the WICB noted, “the offer made to the players will earn them between US$25,000 plus, at the lower end of the scale, to US$59,000 plus, at the higher end of the scale, net of expenses for four one-day matches with the prospect of each player earning an additional 50 percent on these fees if the West Indies qualifies for the final.”

But the Board added that WIPA were requesting sums ranging from US$40,000 to US$95,000, fees the Board termed as “totally unacceptable.”

“On this occasion the invitations have been sent directly to the players, for in spite of our best efforts it has not been possible to reach agreement with their representative Dinanath Ramnarine,” the WICB said in Friday’s statement. “In the event that any of the players do not accept the invitation by August 10, a suitable replacement will be chosen,” it added.

The WICB handed out individual tour contracts directly to the selected players after negotiations between Ramnarine and WICB representative, Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) president Deryck Murray broke down, while discussions between Ramnarine and WICB boss Ken Gordon failed to reach a settlement.

Yesterday, Ramnarine condemned the Board’s view that time was a factor, stating, “it cannot concur on 11th hour pressure to coerce players to sign agreements where their interest and welfare have not been fully taken into consideration.”

The hastily-arranged series falls outside of the Future Tour Programme and Ramnarine pointed out that “it was clearly established that matches outside the FTP would be essentially a revenue earner for both parties.

“WIPA articulated this position making it clear that it wanted to share in any profits generated from tours outside the Overseas Programme,” he continued.

WIPA said it was willing to reduce its demands, but the Board held firm on their position, a fact Ramnarine described as “an anathema to basic and good industrial relations practice and typical of the approach that would have been applied 80 years ago.”

The former TT and West Indies leg-spinner added that the Players’ Association “only became aware of the deadline and ultimatum from the players who were being contacted individually. “This action by the WICB was being undertaken by the WICB even in the midst of negotiations between the WICB and WIPA as it was at that time after WIPA was making its second offer that we were informed by the WICB of its decision to go directly to players,” continued the 31-year-old Ramnarine. “This is another clear manifestation that the WICB was not negotiating in good faith.”

A fiery Ramnarine added, “while WIPA received some financial details about this event on Monday, WIPA is yet to receive information that it has requested pertaining to the name of the team’s sponsor for the event, the obligations of the players and the value of the sponsorship deal.

“WIPA is therefore surprised and disappointed at the inadequacy of the information provided as well as the misrepresentation of facts in the WICB’s release to the public.

It condemns the ultimatum given to players and the subverting of good industrial actions upon which trust and responsibility depend.”

The release concluded, “we are fully committed to resolving this matter in the interest of West Indies cricket and the cricket loving public of the region and sincerely hope for an observance of the type of industrial relations and negotiating standards that the region would expect from WIPA and the WICB.”