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Lane Johnson has filed complaints with both the National Labor Relations Board and the Department of Labor over the NFL Player’s Association handling of his suspension, reports Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer:
Eagles OT Lane Johnson has filed unfair labor practice charges against the NFL and NFLPA w/the NLRB, stemming from his 10-game suspension.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 22, 2016
Also, Lane Johnson has filed a complaint against the NFLPA with the Dept. of Labor under the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 22, 2016
Johnson has been suspended since Week 6 for his second violation of the league’s PED policy. He has four games left in his 10 game suspension. Due to a clause in his contract, his suspension has caused all of the guaranteed salary to become no longer guaranteed.
Since before his suspension, Johnson has argued that the NFLPA has let him down. Johnson claims he tested positive after taking a supplement green lighted by the NFLPA’s “Aegis” app. But the NFLPA claims that even though they said the supplement was clean, that they don’t approve or test for PEDs. Which calls into question why the app or a clean list even exists if the NFLPA can not and will not test the products on it or take any kind of responsibility for it.
The next step for Johnson will be to have these complaints reviewed by the NLRB and Department of Labor. Details of the complaints are not yet known. Nor is a timetable on when they will be reviewed, however it is highly unlikely that a resolution in Johnson’s favor would be found before Johnson is scheduled to return from suspension.
Update: Johnson’s lawyer sent a statement to Adam Caplan of ESPN:
"Lane also filed a complaint against the NFLPA with the Department of Labor ("DOL") under the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act," the statement reads.
"During Lane's appeal, it became apparent that the written words in the collectively bargained Performance-Enhancing Substances ("PES") Policy, under which Lane was disciplined, are meaningless.
"The PES Policy, as written, guarantees rights, protections and due process to players in recognition of the enormous consequences of discipline.
"The NFL and the NFLPA have undermined these protections leaving the players -including Lane -- with a hollowed-out process devoid of any protections. The actions of the NFL and NFLPA violate federal law.
"Lane trusts that he can get a fair hearing with the NLRB and the DOL."
We’ll have more as it unfolds.