The Wellington Phoenix is backing the updated proposal the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has put to Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) with a view to finalising a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the 2026-27 A-Leagues.
APL has invited PFA to resume negotiations in good faith on a one-year CBA based on a range of new and enhanced elements to the proposal which saw 52 of 53 items agreed in-principle between the two parties last month.
The updated position seeks to address the remaining unresolved item at the time by proposing a 41% increase to the A-League Women (ALW) salary cap, while also proposing a couple of significant exclusions from the ALW cap as well as enhancements and entitlements to maternity and paternity arrangements.
The Phoenix has welcomed the updated proposal and the APL’s commitment to setting a pathway to fulltime professionalism for ALW players.
The club notes APL had already agreed in-principle to increase the minimum contracted weeks for ALW players and the minimum weekly retainer while maintaining two marquee players outside the cap.
Player Contract Regulations (PCRs) will be issued for the upcoming season in line with the updated proposal which provides certainty for the Phoenix staff and players while APL can hopefully continue working with the PFA towards a new CBA.
You can read more about the APL’s updated proposal here.
The Wellington Phoenix men will open their 20th Isuzu UTE A-League season on Sunday, October 18 at Hnry Stadium while the Phoenix women are scheduled to start their campaign the same weekend – with the full draw for the Ninja A-League to be released in the coming weeks.
