milkman
02-22-2011, 08:12 AM
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2014295389_nfl22.html
WASHINGTON — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch emerged with a smile and a positive outlook Monday after attending a fourth consecutive day of federally mediated negotiations between the NFL and the players' union.
"Things are going well right now," said Batch, a member of the NFL Players Association executive committee. "We'll see how things progress over the next couple days."
He didn't discuss any details.
NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith left at 6 p.m., about seven hours after Monday's session began. NFL executives departed minutes after Smith. None would comment on the negotiations; Smith deflected questions by joking about the wintry weather, including snow forecast for Monday night.
After months of infrequent — and sometimes contentious — bargaining, the league and union have been communicating face-to-face for a total of more than 25 hours since Friday. The sessions are taking place at the office of George Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, a U.S. government agency.
Next week, just one day before the collective-bargaining agreement expires March 3 and a lockout would probably begin, NFL owners are scheduled to meet outside Washington, a spot that was picked to be close to the mediator in case the sides were still working with him.
The union has said it believes team owners want to lock out the players as soon as the next day, which could threaten the 2011 season.
WASHINGTON — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch emerged with a smile and a positive outlook Monday after attending a fourth consecutive day of federally mediated negotiations between the NFL and the players' union.
"Things are going well right now," said Batch, a member of the NFL Players Association executive committee. "We'll see how things progress over the next couple days."
He didn't discuss any details.
NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith left at 6 p.m., about seven hours after Monday's session began. NFL executives departed minutes after Smith. None would comment on the negotiations; Smith deflected questions by joking about the wintry weather, including snow forecast for Monday night.
After months of infrequent — and sometimes contentious — bargaining, the league and union have been communicating face-to-face for a total of more than 25 hours since Friday. The sessions are taking place at the office of George Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, a U.S. government agency.
Next week, just one day before the collective-bargaining agreement expires March 3 and a lockout would probably begin, NFL owners are scheduled to meet outside Washington, a spot that was picked to be close to the mediator in case the sides were still working with him.
The union has said it believes team owners want to lock out the players as soon as the next day, which could threaten the 2011 season.