ARLC’s Consultation with Refs a Flop

The Professional Rugby League Match Officials Organisation has taken the Australian Rugby League Commission to the Fair Work Commission arguing that there was a breach of the consultation clause in their Enterprise Agreement.

On 13 May 2020, the NRL made an announcement that, among other things, the number of on field referee’s during a game would be reduced from two to one.  The PRLMO is arguing that this decision was made without the ARLC following the correct consultation process under their Enterprise Agreement.

A conciliation meeting took place in front of Commissioner Riordan on 15 May 2020.  The PRLMO has not ruled out taking strike action, however it has stated that it will handle matters “one thing at a time.”

The ARLC has argued that the decision of the referees to go to the Commission was ludicrous and confrontational.  Chairman Peter V’landys has labelled the savings that will result from the decision as “peanuts”.  This is despite the PRLMO arguing that more consultation was required to consider the best interests of fans and sponsors as well as potential errors in calculation of financial savings.