Sports in Brief: NFL assistants consider union

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20100515_Sports_in_Brief__NFL_assistants_consider_union.html#axzz0o8m6OTjH

Posted on Sat, May. 15, 2010

NFL assistant coaches are considering unionizing because they believe that team owners have stripped them of benefits.

NFL Coaches Association executive director Larry Kennan, a former assistant coach, said Friday that a letter was sent to the group's representatives on all 32 teams urging them to "explore the possibility" of a union. By doing so, assistant coaches could gain negotiating rights they do not have as an association.

ESPN.com first reported on the letter, which also was sent to each head coach.

Last year, NFL owners voted to make the pension, 401K, and supplemental retirement plan non-mandatory for the clubs.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello noted that a majority of the clubs did not alter their benefit programs.

A woman has come forward as a defense witness in the sexual-assault case against former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, saying the 16-year-old girl who accused the NFL legend of rape told her she never had sex with him, according to a statement from the woman confirmed by Taylor's attorney.