the rest, only noise

Chapter 115 Salute to you who will surely get what you want
Chapter 114 Greetings to you who will surely get what you want
According to the usual practice, the trade union will go on strike, but this is not a mandatory measure, not an administrative order.The union is for the players and has no right to order the players to do anything.

Therefore, the union requires players to strike spontaneously.

All teams must be led by the captain, hold a player meeting, and vote within the team whether to strike.

This tradition originated from a snowy night in Boston in 1964. The players of that generation did not have high salaries, no comprehensive benefits, no guarantee after retirement, the schedule was called a devil, and the flying conditions were terrible-none of which could compare with today's players.

It was the result of the vote that night that determined that today's players can get an average salary of 20 U.S. dollars, and that they have the confidence to ask the boss for a share of the TV broadcast contract.

In this historical background of a great mission from heaven, no player will let his selfish nature take over his will.

It took Celtics players 10 minutes to gather for a meeting, but the voting process took less than five seconds.

No one objected to the strike.

Bird took on the team's hope like a leader. He said: "I will express my position to the team, and I will tell Bill and Reed to let them know our decision."

Isiah Thomas asks: "What if they threaten you with the future and the law?"

"I could lose this job, or I could go to jail." Byrd didn't even look at Thomas, he just made sure everyone saw his determination, "but I won't let you down."

On March 3, Fitch proposed an internal team meeting.

All the players, the entire coaching staff, the front office and the owners, have to be there.

The atmosphere is tense, the atmosphere in the Celtics has never been more tense.Even if it was a bad game and Fitch scolded everyone, it wouldn't be like this.

No one wanted to speak first.

Owner Harry Mandrian has recently been caught in a contract dispute with Boston Garden. He is upset and can be described as the most low-key boss in this labor turmoil.

There are rumors that he is considering selling the Celtics.

If he's serious, his low profile is understandable. He doesn't even want to be the boss anymore. Why does he care about the salary cap?
Louis sat next to Auerbach, and the boss spoke first.

Mandrian said softly: "You must all know about the recent labor disputes. The players union has announced that if a new agreement cannot be reached before April [-], you will strike. Now I just want to know what you really think."

As previously agreed, it was up to Bird to negotiate with the team.

Bird stood up and said, "The attitude of the union is our attitude."

Mandrian's tone was very gentle: "Think about it, the strike means a reduction in income, and it may anger CBS. They have the right to shorten or even cancel the broadcasting contract. Once there is no TV broadcasting income, the normal operation of the team alone cannot maintain the current operation. At that time, all of your income will drop sharply."

"Sir, we are not businessmen." Bird said, "Each of us is at a loss, but we believe in the union and Mr. Larry Fleischer. Although the future is uncertain, this is definitely the right path, and it is the path we must take."

Mandrian's determination to persuade the players was not very strong, and Louis noticed the fatigue on his face, and he no longer wanted to get involved in these things.

"I don't know why you have any reason to strike!" Auerbach said, "I offered each of you a good contract. The amount of the contract was signed after I discussed with your agent. What are you dissatisfied with now?"

Bird replied with a straight face: "Because we can't just think about ourselves."

Bill Fitch couldn't take it anymore.

"If you do this, it will only make other teams fall into a more difficult situation! Do you know that 2/3 of the teams are losing money? Do you know that many of their teams are just barely supporting? If you don't control the increasingly exaggerated salary levels, many teams will go bankrupt! There will be many players without jobs. Is this your purpose?"

"Stop messing around Bill!"

Another player spoke, and it was the veteran Archibald who spoke.

"In 1964, the owners said they were going bankrupt; in 1972, they said the same thing; in 1976, you still said the same thing. What happened? The league is getting richer, but the owners don't want to give the money out of their pockets to the players. We are also a part of this league. We play hard, bring wonderful games, and attract more fans. Now we ask to share the income from broadcasting contracts, because we are the guarantee of ratings. Isn't that too much?"

Fitch said angrily, "You know what!"

"The income of the league has increased, but the cost of signing players is also increasing. The Celtics have not sorry to any of you. You have all received salaries that meet your own worth. The salaries of others have nothing to do with you. All you have to do is to be worthy of your own salary, train and play on time, and then go home and sleep!"

Fitch's growl filled the room.

"I warn you! If you dare to strike, all of you will lose 50% of your salaries. The team has the right to do so! If you cause more damage to the team, you will be sued at that time, and I guarantee that you will lose your fortune!" He glanced at Archibald sharply like a beast, "If anyone dares to initiate a strike in the name of the team, I hope that person has the ability to pay the team's salary. "

Archibald was furious, and Fitch's words tore apart the bonds between him and the others.

A cold smile appeared on Bird's face, and he asked sarcastically, "What if we decide not to strike?"

"We will find a way to increase your salary, we will find a way to let you sit first class on the road trip, and we will find a way to improve your benefits." Fitch is well versed in the big stick and carrot lobbying method, "As long as you don't strike!"

A college coach like Fitch who doesn't know much about NBA history can't understand the players' choices at this moment.

"Well, I'm their representative, I can represent them, Bill, in your terms, I'm the one who acts on behalf of the team."

Bird looked as if he was going to score a lore on the court. His eyes scanned the management and the boss, and finally met Fitch: "No matter what happens, if the league does not reach a new agreement with the union on April [-], we will strike."

"What did you say?!" Fitch growled. "You better know what you're talking about!"

Legendary Larry said proudly: "If the negotiation fails, we will become an example for the entire league, respond to the call of the union, and strike on April [-]st!"

Fitch's face was full of anger. Bird was the player who supported him the most on weekdays, but now he was also the player who opposed him the most.

His anger is just futile.

In the end, the meeting ended with the players' firm statement.

When boss Mandrian got up, he said, "I'll wait and see."

Auerbach looked annoyed, sneered and left.

Fitch slammed the door angrily and left.

Louie opened a bottle of Heineken and brought it to Bird.

"Louis, what are you doing?" Bird asked.

Louis smiled lightly, "I salute you who will surely get what you want."

Fitch's threat was an empty threat, an illegal threat, and he clearly violated the Labor Law.

His deterrence couldn't come true, and it aroused a rebellious mood among the players.

The same thing happens in many teams.

If the Celtics are a battlefield, then the Seattle SuperSonics are a bayonet.

The owner threatened the players that if they dared to strike, he would fire everyone in the back row, and quickly found 12 players to play.

Intimidation from the boss and management, oppression from the coaching staff, dissatisfaction from the fans, and various threatening letters threatening personal attacks have continued to appear.

Larry Fleischer, a good leader, sent a memo to all the players: "I've said in various meetings over the summer and fall that if we get close to the 'strike date,' we're going to have to deal with all sorts of attacks from the owners. It turns out I was right. They're going to threaten you, and some teams have done that.

First, the league's office sends out a memo to each general manager with instructions on how to deal with you.Some teams put a three-page memo in your locker; some have had the GM talk to you; some have already had the boss talk to you.The purpose of this is obviously to beat you psychologically.They have improperly stated from a legal standpoint that they will withhold your wages, current and future. There will be continued threats in the coming weeks.

I have told you that they will try to divide us, their initial attempt was to discredit me, which they have always done.The attacks on our negotiating team, more specifically me, will appear in their report to you.The next step will be to divide us by teams, salaries, high-paid players versus low-paid players and whatever.Again, this is something I told you could happen, and it has happened.

Be patient and keep your faith, this is not for you or me, this is for the young players who are active, retired and will enter the league in the future!It all started with the founding of the players union by Bob Cousy, continued with the great strike in 1964, and inherited Oscar’s four-year lawsuit. "

In just one day, all the teams and all the players, including the hesitant 76ers, expressed through the media that they would respond to the union's call.

If a new agreement is not reached on April [-], they will go on strike.

This is what the NBA looks like today. They are composed of a group of arrogant, arrogant and greedy players. Nearly half of them are addicted to drugs and do not care about the world. They only care about themselves, but they have inherited the will of their predecessors.This is a moment related to the future well-being of the players. The selfish ghosts were eliminated by the sense of responsibility. They collectively showed their strongest voice to the owners and the league who did not believe that they dared to strike.

(End of this chapter)