The union for rugby players in Scotland has “reluctantly” accepted the SRU’s decision to cut wages on a sliding scale as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Rugby Players Scotland’s interim chief executive Bill Mitchell was part of a joint statement issued by the SRU which detailed the plan, which could last for as long as five months.
As with other SRU staff, only players earning in excess of £50,000 a year will be affected but top-earners will see their pay slashed by a quarter.
Mitchell said: “reluctantly, we are forced to conclude that the actions announced on Monday by Scottish Rugby represent a reasonable way to protect the long-term employment of our membership, while addressing the immediate financial challenges facing the sport in Scotland.”
“Along with all other national player associations, RPS is very concerned about the uncertainty surrounding our sport internationally,” he continues.
“We have worked hard over the last few weeks to find ways of achieving long term sustainability of employment for our members without impacting on incomes.
“However we now acknowledge that the growing difficulty of implementing a realistic timetable for restarting global competition makes that goal impossible to achieve.”
Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson announced in a letter to staff and stakeholders on Monday the measures required to offset the anticipated loss of revenue from rugby’s worldwide shutdown, which is likely to result in the cancellation of the summer tour to South Africa and New Zealand and also threatens the lucrative Autumn Test series.
Salary reductions will cover all contracted Scottish Rugby players earning more than £50,000 a year. Subject to the outcome of direct consultation with players affected, these player salaries will be reduced by 10-25% from 1 April to 1 September 2020 depending on the scale of pay.
“Players from Glasgow Warriors, Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland 7s, Stage 3 Scottish Rugby Academy and Scotland Women 2021 contracted players will be furloughed under the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme designed to help support any organisation with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic,” adds the SRU statement.
Scottish Rugby’s Director of Performance Jim Mallinder said the entire world of sport was experiencing “unprecedented circumstances”.
“One of the consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic is that all rugby has ceased both domestically, internationally and professionally. This has had a significant impact on Scottish Rugby, as it has on others involved in the game and other sports.
“Together, Scottish Rugby and Rugby Players Scotland have recognised that we need to take appropriate measures as a result of this.
“This approach will allow us to protect our players and the organisation as much as possible through this uncertain period.
“This is a rapidly changing picture. We will continue our positive dialogue with RPS to assess what we need to do to protect our sport, our people and the rugby community.”
