CWA Pro Soccer Players Ready To Strike

Last week, members of the United Soccer League Players Association (USLPA-CWA Local 7211) signaled their willingness to strike if the USL continues to stymie contract negotiations for USL Championship players. Bargaining has been ongoing since August 2024, with the previous contract expiring on December 31, 2025. The professional athletes are demanding better workplace protections, livable wages, and league-wide professional standards for issues including travel, housing, and medical staffing.

"This fight is about something bigger than one contract cycle. For generations, professional soccer players in the USL have been asked to accept subprofessional standards-wages that qualify players for food stamps, inadequate workplace protections, and conditions that fall short of what any professional athlete should expect. We are drawing a line in the sand to ensure that if a league calls itself professional, it meets professional standards," said USLPA Executive Director Connor Tobin.

Professional soccer players with USLPA-CWA Local 7211 wore t-shirts with a message for United Soccer League management in November. Contract negotiations began in August 2024 and players have signaled their resolve to strike if needed to spur a contract resolution.