PFA averts strike by Dunfermline players

By EWING GRAHAME
Published on 12/03/2013 01:26

PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart has revealed that the players’ union talked the Dunfermline squad out of going on strike earlier this month

The Fife club is fighting for survival and, when February’s wages were only partially paid, Jim Jefferies’ players were ready to withdraw their labour. However, Wishart said that that course of action has been ruled out as efforts to keep the club afloat continue.

“There was a real danger that the game against Partick Thistle [on 2 March] wouldn’t go ahead,” he said. “I know the players were beginning to question whether they would receive any more money from the club, given its perilous situation, and whether they should put their livelihoods on the line.

“They were worried about getting injured which would put them out for four or five months and possibly prevent them from getting a club in the summer.

“We, as an association, spoke to a number of the players. I think they realise that they have to put their shoulder to the wheel here.

“At the moment there’s no danger of that happening again, now that everyone is aware of the severity of the situation. The players are fully behind the club and, in particular, the fans in their efforts to save the club so they will continue to play and train as normally as they can until this situation is resolved one way or another.”

“The players, I think, have shown a huge amount of patience,” he said. “There has been an issue of late payment for the last four or five months. These players are not earning a huge amount, so it has been a struggle for them just to put petrol in the car, especially in the months when they’ve received less than half their normal salary.”