It Isn't "Discrimination" When You Demanded It In Negotiations
Contrary to the notion that you can "have it all," or that women, in particular, should be able to, there are tradeoffs in life. For example, more wage security and less money. Or more money and less wage security.
Franklyn Cater writes at NPR that a Federal Judge dismissed the U.S. Women's soccer team's claim of pay discrimination:
The World Cup champion U.S. women's soccer team is vowing to fight on after a judge dismissed key parts of their lawsuit seeking compensation equal to that of their male counterparts.Federal Judge R. Gary Klausner rejected the women's team's argument over receiving lower pay than the U.S. men's team. He also dismissed a claim of unequal working conditions related to the number of turf and real grass pitches. While the judge did allow other claims in the lawsuit to move forward to trial, for the women who won the hearts of the nation with a romp to the World Cup title last year, the ruling is a major blow.
"We are shocked and disappointed with today's decision, but we will not give up our hard work for equal pay," Molly Levinson, spokesperson for the players, said in a statement.
Renegotiate, dear, and ask that the terms your team originally asked for be changed.
In dismissing the women's claim that they are paid less for the same work, Klausner pointed to differences in the structure of the men's and women's contracts -- contracts to which they agreed in collective bargaining."The WNT [Women's National Team] rejected an offer to be paid under the same pay-to-play structure as the MNT [Men's National Team] and ... the WNT was willing to forgo higher bonuses for other benefits, such as greater base compensation and the guarantee of a higher number of contracted players," Klausner wrote. "Accordingly, Plaintiffs cannot now retroactively deem their CBA worse than the MNT CBA by reference to what they would have made had they been paid under the MNT's pay-to-play structure when they themselves rejected such a structure."
The judge said the women's contract guarantees players will be paid regardless of whether they play. The men are paid if they are called into camp to play and then participate in a match.
I guess there's no room for contractual nuances like that when you're yelling, "Hey, Hey, Equal Pay!" or whatever.
These women are confusing equality of outcome with equality of opportunity. They took the opportunity to negotiate a pay schedule of their choosing. Now they want the same outcome as someone who negotiated a riskier pay structure.
"Give us more because we don't like getting what we demanded."
Jay at May 4, 2020 6:28 AM
I look forward to the day when a bunch of trans-wahmen show up to try outs. The WNT will either allow the TWs to push out their current team (23 roster slots) in which case they'll be labeled misogynist.
If they come up with reasons to exclude the TWs they'll be labeled trans-phobic.
In either case, Rapinoe bring me my popcorn.
I R A Darth Aggie at May 4, 2020 6:42 AM
Why do you look forward to that?
NicoleK at May 4, 2020 6:50 AM
As a past gf once said, 'it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind, at any point, irregardless of any agreement. '
Joe j at May 4, 2020 8:53 AM
Internationally, there is not much interest in women's soccer.
In other countries, the big money goes to men because men's soccer draws huge crowds ( think U.K., Spain, etc ).
Internationally, compared to men's soccer leagues, there is so little money spent on women's leagues because of a lack of interest. So, women's soccer leagues do not have the equipment nor time to train compared to their U.S. sisters
Nick at May 4, 2020 8:56 AM
Why do you look forward to that?
Hoist on their own petard. Or, the woke eating the woke.
I'm not saying the TERFs are wrong ("trans-exclusionary radical feminist") when it comes to women's sports, or even women-only enclaves, but it always warms my heart to see my political opponents having to deal with silly shit they stirred up themselves.
I R A Darth Aggie at May 4, 2020 9:48 AM
And by heart, I mean my cold, black heart.
I R A Darth Aggie at May 4, 2020 9:49 AM
So, women's soccer leagues do not have the equipment nor time to train compared to their U.S. sisters
Depends on the country. Brazil seems to do OK, but that's because futbol is the multi-person sport there, and those that make the national team have been playing for years.
Japan is also taking it seriously, and by extension so will South Korea and China. Gotta keep up with the neighbors.
Not sure what's going on with the Euros, tho. Probably a nice talent group being spread out over many different countries.
I R A Darth Aggie at May 4, 2020 9:57 AM
Women are more risk-averse. Men are willing to gamble for the high-stakes payoff. It's genetic.
Is it sexism that women's soccer draws smaller crowds (and therefore less $)? No. It is just not as fun to watch. As pointed out many times, this same team got trounced by a team of high school boys. Same with women's basketball, where there is almost no dunking even though most of the women are 6 ft tall, and the game is slower. It has nothing to do with money for training.
cc at May 4, 2020 10:30 AM
Feminists enjoy collecting special coins -- that have only one side.
Amy, you are always logical and fair -- which means you are disqualified from identifying as feminist.
Jay R at May 4, 2020 11:42 AM
The economics of men's and women's soccer are totally different. The US women are the best in the world. The US men are mediocre. The men's World Cup brought in $6 billion. The women's World Cup brought in $131 million.
The first fact indicates the women should earn much more. The second fact indicates the women should earn much less. I don't have a clue who should earn more but they are very unlikely to deserve the same amount.
Curtis at May 4, 2020 1:38 PM
.
You should earn what you agree to sell your services for. No one owes you more than that. The WNT players sold their services for a certain amount. That's what they should earn.
That the Men's National Team players earn more has nothing to do with the Women's National Team payroll. What revenue their game brings in determines the worth of the players.
Conan the Grammarian at May 4, 2020 3:36 PM
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