National Football League

Mediator: 'Strong differences remain'

Published Feb. 24, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

The NFL and its players union are heading back to the bargaining table.

After meeting for seven days with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the league and NFL Players Association have agreed to resume talks Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

Both sides turned to the FMCS — which offers mediation in labor disputes — after failing to make substantial progress in face-to-face talks earlier this month. The FMCS doesn't have power to mandate a settlement but has proved an effective mechanism in helping opposing parties come to an agreement.

The week-long FMCS meeting is ending Thursday as leaders from both sides head to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

"Our time together has been devoted to establishing an atmosphere conducive to meaningful negotiations and, of course, matters of process and substance," FMCS director George H. Cohen said in a released statement. "I can report that throughout this extensive period the parties engaged in highly focused, constructive dialogue concerning a host of issues covering both economics and player-related conditions. The tenor of the across-the-table discussions reflected a noteworthy level of mutual respect even in the face of strongly held competing positions. The parties met both in full committee and in subcommittees where discrete, technical issues lent themselves to smaller groups.

"Some progress was made but very strong differences remain on the all-important core issues that separate the parties."

The current Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and NFLPA is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. EST March 3. If a new deal isn't reached, the NFL is headed toward its first work stoppage since the 1987 players strike.

League officials will explain potential changes in the event of a CBA cancellation during a closed-door meeting Thursday in Indianapolis. Every team must be represented by its head coach, general manager and a front-office executive.

The NFLPA has called a mandatory meeting of player agents for Friday at the Combine. NFL owners are slated to meet next Wednesday and Thursday in Northern Virginia in what will likely be a last-ditch effort to finalize a deal.

Cohen declined to provide further details about the NFL-NFLPA bargaining sessions.

"Due to the extraordinary sensitivity of these ongoing negotiations, the FMCS will refrain from any public comment while the mediation process continues," Cohen said. "I have requested, and the parties have agreed, to do likewise.