Photo Credit: Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations
FICA today congratulated the US Cricketers’ Association (USCA) on its resounding win in the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election, following its fight for recognition in the US.
The USCA was officially formed in October 2023 with the inaugural meeting of the USCA held in the offices of the Major League Baseball Players’ Association in New York, attended by player leadership, members and legal counsel.
The majority of players who competed in the first iteration of Major League Cricket (the MLC) are members of USCA, and accordingly USCA requested voluntary recognition from MLC in December 2023.
MLC denied USCA’s request for voluntary recognition, triggering an election process at the NLRB in the US, requiring players to formally vote to confirm they are represented by USCA.
The NLRB process took place in February and March 2024, with votes counted today confirming that players overwhelmingly voted in favour of USCA. Under US law this means MLC will be required to formally recognise USCA, and to collectively bargain with it, with respect to player terms and conditions in the MLC.
Corey Anderson, USCA Executive Committee member said: This is a great outcome for professional cricketers playing in the US now and in the future. USCA wants to be a voice for all players in the US as the game grows and evolves in the country, and to make sure players here can benefit from the protections and collective voice that players’ associations provide.
Walter Palmer, USCA Advisory Executive Committee Member said: This is a significant day for cricketers in the US and a remarkable global organising effort given the headwinds faced. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the players to help to guide the next steps for the USCA moving forward.
Tom Moffat, FICA Chief Executive said: Players in the US and around the world should take confidence that when they are united they can achieve great outcomes for themselves and the sport. We congratulate players in the US for their work in getting organised to ensure they can have a collective voice in their country through USCA. This outcome will ensure players in the US can line up with international best practice, contribute to the success of MLC and the game in the US, and critically, improve terms and conditions and protections for players.
About USCA
The USCA was formed in 2023 and its inaugural Executive Committee is comprised of Walter Palmer, Todd Greenberg, Obus Pienaar, Dane Piedt and Corey Anderson. USCA has been an observer member of FICA since 2023.
For player queries: cameron@thefica.com For media queries: media@thefica.com
