By Emery Paquette
Union Cycliste Professionale (UCP) representative Gregory Levis yesterday sent a strong message to OCM directors, saying that the riders were willing to strike if wage demands were not met.
The veteran Equipo Easy On rider made the comments on a radio broadcast for the Dodge Racing Channel a day ago.
"We've been petitioning the OCM directors to change | | the system, to start providing us professional cyclists with a regular wage," Levis said.
"OCM has been traditionally been built on a structure where we receive a lump sum signing on fee upon agreeing a contract with a pro team.
"We receive training and equipment from our teams, but we don't get paid a wage other then expenses."
The Cayman Islander did admit however, that talks were still ongoing and union leaders were hopeful of reaching some sort of agreement with the OCM
| | hierarchy.
"It hasn't gotten to such a serious stage yet of course, but [a general strike] is on the agenda."
He went on to point out that such action was only to be undertaken as a last resort and that "relations [would] have broken down to quite a large extent" for it to occur.
The OCM Chairman's office have so far failed to comment on the claims.
For a full transcript of the DRC broadcast, check the forums or simply click here.
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