X Post from GD: “The NCAA is like a dictatorship”: Why college athletes are demanding a union

[Omaha Steve]

Tuesday's LBN story here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014711660


http://www.salon.com/2014/01/30/the_ncaa_is_like_a_dictatorship_why_college_athletes_are_demanding_a_union/

Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 07:30 AM CST

A first-ever union petition at Northwestern sets off a struggle that could transform college sports

Josh Eidelson



Kain Colter (Credit: AP/Paul Beaty)

A first-ever union petition at Northwestern sets off a struggle that could transform college sports

By Josh Eidelson

In a surprise move without precedent in the history of college sports, Northwestern University football players have petitioned to form a labor union.

“Something we talked to the players about – we said, look, we don’t know what the timeline is, there could be a number of appeals, and many of you could be gone,” said Ramogi Huma, a founder of the new College Athletes Players Association. “It’s possible that many of you will never directly benefit. But we said … if you believe it’s the right thing to do, then it’s a chance that no other college athlete’s had, to stand up in this area for not only future players at Northwestern, but future players across the nation.”

“And the response,” said Huma, “was just overwhelming.”

Huma filed the petition Tuesday with the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency responsible for enforcing and interpreting most private sector labor law. Huma also directs the National College Players Association, a non-union group that, as I’ve previously reported, has mounted increasingly aggressive challenges to the NCAA since Huma, an ex-UCLA linebacker, founded the group in 2001.

FULL story at link.

[Skeeter Barnes]

1. Good! They are workers, too!

[geardaddy]

2. Very interesting read.

Thanks!