The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) today confirmed that the Cape Cobras players’ dispute relating to their grievance against the Cape Cobras coach, Paul Adams, has not been resolved.
The players, SACA and the Franchise had agreed at the conciliation meeting held at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on 18 October 2016 to a fourteen (14) day extension period to give them a further opportunity to resolve the issues around the coach.
“SACA and the players are disappointed by the Franchise’s response to our proposals on a process which we believe would have resolved the matter once and for all”, said Tony Irish, chief executive of SACA. “We had proposed a process for an independent cricket person to monitor and assess the coach’s situation on the ground within the team over a three (3) week period and thereafter to make a recommendation as to what should happen with the coaching situation. His recommendation would be accepted by all, and binding on the players, SACA and the Franchise, and it would dispose of the current dispute”, said Irish. “The Franchise has however rejected the proposal out of hand without proposing any alternative, despite having indicated to us that they were in favour of some form of monitoring.”
“It is very obvious that the Franchise team is in disarray and the Cobras are currently rooted to the bottom of the Sunfoil Series log. In addition Alan Dawson, brought in as the convenor of selectors in an to attempt to beef up the structures around the coach, has now resigned citing that he believes it is impossible to work in an environment in which there is a fundamental problem between players and coach. The most frustrating aspect is that it appears that the board of the Franchise simply refuses to acknowledge that there is actually a problem at all, despite everything that has happened, and is now happening, around it”, said Irish.
SACA will seek a certificate of outcome from the CCMA confirming that the dispute has not been resolved. The issuing of this certificate will enable players to embark on lawful and protected industrial action (such as a strike), following proper notice to be given, should the players elect to go this route.”
“Any kind of industrial action is always a very last resort for players and we hope it doesn’t come to that”, said Irish. “However the players have been asking the Franchise to properly address this issue for many months, but to no avail, and have exhausted every constructive process available to them with the Franchise. We will now seek CSA’s assistance and intervention before considering what further steps to take.”