Referees’ union boss Silvio Del Vecchio has promised there will be no strike when the NRL season restarts despite the failure of peace talks on Tuesday.
The league and referees’ union will head for arbitration later this week over the controversial decision to revert to one referee after discussions lasting about three hours with the Fair Work Commission reached an impasse.
“We went to Fair Work in good faith to seek an outcome via conciliation and unfortunately we didn’t achieve that outcome,” Del Vecchio told AAP. “Very, very disappointing.”
It is understood the referees union made the NRL an offer centred around cost savings, which was one of the driving factors behind last week’s change from two referees per match to one for the rest of the season.
The league responded with an offer of their own, which Del Vecchio described as “immaterial” to the union. The Fair Work Commission is expected to settle the dispute by the end of the week, just days before the season resumes from the coronavirus shutdown on Thursday week.
“Today the commissioner was there and he acted as the go-between to help the parties come together,” Del Vecchio said. “But on Thursday or Friday, whenever it is, the commissioner will table the information, table the evidence and make a ruling. They make a call one way or another.”
While reluctant to speculate on the union’s response should the Commission rule in the NRL’s favour, Del Vecchio ruled out a strike.
“We won’t be taking strike action … We won’t stand in the way of the game on the 28th,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NRL confirmed on Tuesday the season will be played out of just six venues until at least the end of round nine, with Sydney, Gosford, Brisbane, Townsville and Melbourne to host matches.
Bankwest Stadium, Campbelltown and the Central Coast will be used in NSW, as well as Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, Townsville’s new stadium and Melbourne’s AAMI Park.
“Each venue requires customised infrastructure to meet our strict biosecurity requirements. We’ve adopted a phased approach for venues should restrictions be eased in the future,’” interim NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.
