December 2 – The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) have finally reached agreement – but not over the thorny issue of equal pay which has plagued both parties and was dismissed last May.
The settlement is over discriminatory working conditions and mandates that charter flights, hotel accommodation, venue selection and professional staff support for the women’s team should be equal to that of the men’s national team.
“We are pleased that the USWNT players have fought for – and achieved – long overdue equal working conditions,” players’ spokeswoman Molly Levinson told the Associated Press, adding that the legal battle over equal pay was not dead and that an appeal was being planned.
The players, she said, “remain as committed as ever to our work to achieve the equal pay that we legally deserve. Our focus is on the future and ensuring we leave the game a better place for the next generation of women who will play for this team and this country.”
US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone called Tuesday’s deal a “positive step forward,” and urged the team not to pursue their appeal over pay.
“As a former USWNT player, I can promise you that I am committed to equality between the USWNT and USMNT,” she said, referring to the men’s national team.
“My goal is, and has always been, to come to a resolution on all equal pay matters and inspire a new era of collaboration, partnership and trust between the USWNT and the Federation.”
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