U.S. Women’s Soccer National Team – Biggest News Stories of 2016

U.S. Women’s Soccer Files an Equal Pay Discrimination Suit!

Back in late March 2016, Becky Sauerbrunn, Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Carli Lloyd filed a lawsuit on behalf of the entire U.S. Women’s National  Soccer Team against the U.S, Soccer Federation in which they claimed that they were illegally underpaid by the Federation. The complaint is now at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and is under review.

The team is currently bound by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which runs out at the end of 2016. Back in June, a court ruled that a boycott or strike at the Rio Olympics would be in violation of the current CBA.

There were negotiations that were started in October 2016, and according to reports, things are progressing slowly on this. However, neither the U.S. Women’s team,  nor the U.S. Soccer Federation have filed a notice of termination This means that the U.S. Women cannot go on strike without 60 days prior notice.

Per Jeff Kassouf, editor at FourFourTwoUSA:

Crucial point of clarification on #USWNT‘s CBA: When it expires at the end of 12/31/16, terms and remain in place. “Status quo.” (Tweet 1/X)

Per labor laws, terms of CBA remain in place unless either party gives notice of termination 60 days earlier — which neither side has done.

So when that ball drops on 2017, there won’t suddenly be a USWNT without a single player. Only if/when there are 60 days notice

Please see this recent article as it gives more detail about this story.

U.S. Women’s Soccer – Their Battle for “Equal Pay”- What Would You Decide if You Were the Judge?

U.S. Women's Soccer - "Equal Pay" dispute -What Would You Decide? Issues with the USWNT and its dispute with The U.S. Soccer Federation. Case goes to EEOC.

Sources

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/03/us-womens-soccer-team-not-permitted-strike-rio-olympics

Plus here is a recent interview with Hope Solo. http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2016/12/22/ap-exclusive-solo-talks-about-future-fight-for-equal-pay.html

To be honest, I could have switched #2 and #3 stories as they might be about the same “weight”, but decided to keep this order as the Hope Solo story “tied in” with the CBA story more effectively this way.

Any comments?