A-League Referees to Have Pay Rise in New FFA Deal

Football Federation Australia have announced a new deal with the A-League referees giving them their first pay rise in five years.

However the match officials say their battle for better conditions is far from over, with talks to resume in November for contracts covering seasons beyond 2013/2014.

The FFA on Thursday announced it had settled on changes to the standard match officials agreement – covering at least 48 referees from the A-League, W-League and National Youth League – following lengthy discussions with the Professional Football Referees Association (PFRA).

The revised deal, which only covers the season beginning next month, includes an average 19 per cent increase in match fees across all competitions.

It also covers the reimbursement of out-of-pocket medical expenses for injuries suffered during training and matches and pre-season medical test.

“It’s a step in the positive direction. It’s a start, but it’s certainly not the end of discussions,’ said Tony Dempsey from the newly-formed PFRA.

“We’ve come to an agreement with them to have negotiations in November and December of this year around a collective bargaining agreement that sets out terms and conditions on a more wholistic basis for seasons following this season.”

Those conditions include future pay rises and the prospect of full-time match officials.

Dempsey said the new contracts would be signed ‘within days’, ruling out the need for any immediate strike action.

“If we can’t reach an agreement in November or December or sometime next year on future terms and conditions, we could be faced with a similar standoff to what we’ve just had for future seasons.

“But in the short-term, it’s been resolved.”