Wikipedia:Today's featured article/December 3, 2012

The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) is the labor organization representing professional American football players in the National Football League (NFL). Founded in 1956, it was established to provide players with formal representation to negotiate compensation and the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. In the early years of the NFL, contractual negotiations took place between players and management; team owners were reluctant to engage in collective bargaining. A series of strikes and lockouts have occurred throughout the union's existence largely due to monetary and benefit disputes between the players and the owners. League rules that punished players for playing in rival football leagues resulted in litigation; the success of such lawsuits impelled the NFL to negotiate some work rules and minimum payments with the NFLPA. It was recognized by the NFL as the official bargaining agent for players in 1968. In addition to conducting labor negotiations, the NFLPA represents and protects the rights of players, ensures that the terms of the collective bargaining agreement are adhered to by the league and the teams, and negotiates and monitors retirement and insurance benefits. (Full article...)

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