PDI Will Rule in 3 Years - 2006

[LifterChick]

Question for Onlyme....

Will PDI let the athletes enter IFBB or other Non PDI events? 
I can only think that this would have healthy benefits for the sport if they could do any shows they chose in any federation without repercussions.

[Lift Studios]

Chic is attempting to help the athletes but gets no support. Ron, myself and others have seen it first-hand. The competitors would rather bitch and moan then do something about it. God forbid something postive take place and people embrace it.

"Comeback kid" since you seem to have all the answers, who would get more done then Chic? Chic is the athlete's rep for the IFBB, why would he support anything but the organization he represents and attempt to make it better?

[comebackkid]

"Comeback kid" since you seem to have all the answers, who would get more done then Chic? Chic is the athlete's rep for the IFBB, why would he support anything but that organization and attempt to make it better?

What would I do? Well first I would avail myself of the Federal laws set up under the National Labor Relations Board. Before the athletes illusions in Chick were smashed, Chick should have engaged in a real union campaign. This would have required getting an established union supporting a signature drive. If Bob could have secured the signatures of 30% percent of the athletes, he could have forced a vote which if supported by 50% of the athetes would have turned the IFBB into a "union shop." This means that the IFBB would have to negotiate with the athletes as a cumulative body and not as individuals. Its called "collective bargining." Athletes would not be allowed to compete professionally unless the joined the union...similar to pro baseball or football.

At this point, having a real union in place, the athletes could have withheld competing until prize money and accomodations were improved. The athletes would have tremendous power, especially since the majority of their incomes are not from competing. They are not dependent on the IFBB, rather the IFBB is dependent on the athletes. If the IFBB can't deliver...let the union organize its own competions under a profit sharing plan designed not to make money for a greedy bureaucracy...but rather provide for the well being of the athletes as a whole.

[comebackkid]

comebackkid, you seem to know your stuff!

Bob, have you initiated unionization steps to protect the athletes?

No he hasn't. I've already had this debate with him. You can't expect fighting leadership from someone whos status of rep is one of privledge. There is no incentive for him to fight the bureaucracy when they are the one who provide him his "elevated" status.

[Chico_Holiday]

If it was 3rd tier pros, they might have asked you to come. They didn't.

No, this will be a steady mix of tier 1,2, and 3 guys the first year.  year two, once your Cutlers/Martinez'/Branchs see guys will lesser physiques pulling 3 times the money, they'll jump two.  Year two will be the big one.

ROFL!!  Bob set himself up with that "3rd and 4th tier" comment........saw this one coming from a mile away.  

[knny187]

If there was a 4 tier category.....he may be ranked at the top.


I still put Bob in the mediocre 3rd tier as of late.

[lonewolf]

PDIs position regarding athletes entering other pro shows is that any Pro can enter
any competition without sanctions being held against them regardless of  affiliation.

[240 is Back]

first athlete to declare pro should be announcing it soon, right?

[comebackkid]

first athlete to declare pro should be announcing it soon, right?

Mark my words...or picture.

[ether]

What would I do? Well first I would avail myself of the Federal laws set up under the National Labor Relations Board. Before the athletes illusions in Chick were smashed, Chick should have engaged in a real union campaign. This would have required getting an established union supporting a signature drive. If Bob could have secured the signatures of 30% percent of the athletes, he could have forced a vote which if supported by 50% of the athetes would have turned the IFBB into a "union shop." This means that the IFBB would have to negotiate with the athletes as a cumulative body and not as individuals. Its called "collective bargining." Athletes would not be allowed to compete professionally unless the joined the union...similar to pro baseball or football.

At this point, having a real union in place, the athletes could have withheld competing until prize money and accomodations were improved. The athletes would have tremendous power, especially since the majority of their incomes are not from competing. They are not dependent on the IFBB, rather the IFBB is dependent on the athletes. If the IFBB can't deliver...let the union organize its own competions under a profit sharing plan designed not to make money for a greedy bureaucracy...but rather provide for the well being of the athletes as a whole.

Lift Studios = OWNED!



5. 2 free tickets to all IFBB pro's to any IFBB event

WOW , MONSTER NEGOTIATING SKILLS

[Adam Empire]

Let's all remember - Chick has a Weider (now AMI) contract.  AMI ows the mags and puts on the biggest shows for the IFBB.  Chick will NEVER admit that this new fed has a chance because he has a paycheck at risk.  I see it as Bob representing himself more than the athletes.

[Chick]

Let get a few facts straight boys....

1. I attempted to form a athletes union a few years ago.... not enough support to attend the MEETING to even see if a union was a option, was present. Out of over 100+ responses from pro's everywhere...only 25-30 had the balls to show up at the meeting. The rest were too scared, or were having their contracts threatened by...you guessed it...Wayne himself.

The athletes spoke...not interested in starting a union.

2. I've never bad mouthed the "PDI"....hell, I've talked to Wayne himself about the opportunity it presents to athletes and the advantages of having competition in the same market. I have had many conversations with IFBB pro athletes about what they should consider, and if going to a new federation is in their best interest....for some, I've advised to give it a shot....others, to not even consider it.

I've asked some very fair questions, and made comments along the lines of "wait and see"...

I support the athletes...whatever organization they wish to support is a personal choice of THEIRS and THEIRS alone.

3. I don't have to "tow the company line"...I'm not employed by the IFBB, Jim Manion, nor am I in any "blue blazer" capacity within the IFBB....I'm the athletes representative. I present changes to the IFBB on behalf of the athletes, and in the athletes best interests...so far I have yet to have any athletes that are dissatified with what I've achieved, or that have come forward to complain.

For that matter, (other than Shawn Ray and Betty Pariso) I have also yet to receive 1 SINGLE item for submission from any other pro....I've scheduled meetings for the athletes to voice their opinions and be heard...so far, the interest level is pathetic. They are content to let me handle things on my own...fine by me. I 'll continue to schedule meetings, send out emails and make positive changes for the betterment of the athletes in the IFBB...maybe athletes will start to take an interest in THEIR futures, maybe they won't...it's in THEIR hands.

[Solid Attitude]

Sometimes I wonder why Chick even responds to 240 or Insider.

Chick is doing excellent work, he is a great spokesman, and he knows that you have to give and take in order to get things accomplished, and he knows change will not happen overnight.

Insider, you said you were a former Pro BB. Well now I understand, you will support any organization outside of the IFBB because let me guess, you always got judged unfairly, the contests were all fixed, and you should have been Mr. Olympia.

Good Luck to Wayne and his new organization. For those who want to join good luck. As for me I will stay w/ the NPC/IFBB. I'll stick around and help Chick plug that sloooooooooooowwwww leak!!!

[ether]

Hard to imagine that bodybuilders don't have the foresight to think about their futures.

[Lee_a_priest]

must be a slow leak...it's taking 60 years to go down.

lets see them get 1 show off the ground before "ruling the world".

Yeah and what did they say about the Titanic?

Bob love ya your a great company man .Oh and good luck against Vince.When you wish upon a star ...well you know the rest

[Chick]

...and good luck in the PDI, Lee.

[comebackkid]

Let get a few facts straight boys....

1. I attempted to form a athletes union a few years ago.... not enough support to attend the MEETING to even see if a union was a option, was present. Out of over 100+ responses from pro's everywhere...only 25-30 had the balls to show up at the meeting. The rest were too scared, or were having their contracts threatened by...you guessed it...Wayne himself.

The athletes spoke...not interested in starting a union.

Did you start a signature drive? What Federated Unions did you speak to about organizing? 30 attendants at a first meeting out of 100+ responses is a helluva start. Congratulations. What did you do next? Did you move from there by getting union cards signed by the attendees and then move on those who didn't attend by explaining that there was interest...and potential numbers behind the move?

Why didn't more show up? Maybe because you're not viewed as an independent representative fighting on behalf of the athletes, but rather an mediator. You're an appoined arm of the bureaucracy.

Bob, admit it. You have no clue how to facilitate an organizing drive. Moreover, you're ignorant to the tactics and goals of a union. This is demonstrated by your vocal support for the IFBB, the bosses. The athletes (the workers) are in perpetual conflict with the bureaucracy. For every dollar the bureaucracy gets, that's one less dollar for the athletes. Where's the struggle?

Bob you're not the leader of the struggle, but the graveyard where they are buried.

[Chico_Holiday]

must be a slow leak...it's taking 60 years to go down.

lets see them get 1 show off the ground before "ruling the world".

Yeah and what did they say about the Titanic?

Bob love ya your a great company man .Oh and good luck against Vince.When you wish upon a star ...well you know the rest

Chick got owned!!! 

[Chick]

Did you start a signature drive? What Federated Unions did you speak to about organizing? 30 attendants at a first meeting out of 100+ responses is a helluva start. Congratulations. What did you do next? Did you move from there by getting union cards signed by the attendees and then move on those who didn't attend by explaining that there was interest...and potential numbers behind the move?

Why didn't more show up? Maybe because you're not viewed as an independent representative fighting on behalf of the athletes, but rather an mediator. You're an appoined arm of the bureaucracy.

Bob, admit it. You have no clue how to facilitate an organizing drive. Moreover, you're ignorant to the tactics and goals of a union. This is demonstrated by your vocal support for the IFBB, the bosses. The athletes (the workers) are in perpetual conflict with the bureaucracy. For every dollar the bureaucracy gets, that's one less dollar for the athletes. Where's the struggle?

Bob you're not the leader of the struggle, but the graveyard where they are buried.

This was 3 years ago, genius....I wasn't the athletes rep, there was none.

Organize it yourself counselor, nothing standing in your way....remember, your the LEADER OF THE INTERNET!

Start a thread to organize it...all the pro's are right here, ready to be lead to the promised land...by the Comeback Kid...!

Good luck

[Solid Attitude]

Chick, like I said why bother w/ these comments. Not one person you are responding to has any credibility in this sport.

Stay the course ChicK, you are on the right path.

[comebackkid]

This was 3 years ago, genius....I wasn't the athletes rep, there was none.

Organize it yourself counselor, nothing standing in your way....remember, your the LEADER OF THE INTERNET!

Start a thread to organize it...all the pro's are right here, ready to be lead to the promised land...by the Comeback Kid...!

Good luck

You're such a great cynic. You know Bob, anyone with any understanding of Logic will see this as you raising the white flag of surrender in this arguement.

I've been in my share of Labor struggles. Don't fret, I wear the scars from the everyday. And be rest assured...I'll earn a few more before the end of my days. But now put yourself back on the ground of reality. I haven't an audience with the pros bodybuilders. That's first. Second, I'm not a pro competitor myself. Again, if you understood anything about Unions, you'd know that the seed has to come from within. No leader will lead the athletes (workers) to the promised land. They have the ability to lead themsleves with a leader from their own ranks. They dont' need some glorious savior from without. You on the other hand Bob...didn't know what you were doing. If there was a chance...you buried it.

I think if there is a man amongst the Pros who could provide such leadership....its you Lee. You'd fight the good fight.

[Al-Gebra]

I think if there is a man amongst the Pros who could provide such leadership....its you Lee. You'd fight the good fight.

I'm sure that's why he's getting tattooed . . . putting his war-paint on before he leads the Pros in glorious battle against the aging Authority.

I'm sure the "labor struggle" will result in wonderful things . . . just ask the "Big 3" in Detroit or any one of a number of American airlines. 

But, never mind, I like to wave a red flag too every now and again.  Must be the attention-seeker in me.

[Insider Z]

Insider, you said you were a former Pro BB. Well now I understand, you will support any organization outside of the IFBB because let me guess, you always got judged unfairly, the contests were all fixed, and you should have been Mr. Olympia.

Ehi sweetie,
you should read better my posts. I wrote I was a pro. Period.
So funny to see "rescue squads" post every now and then to explain which side are they on.

Insider Z

[Solid Attitude]

Ehi sweetie,
you should read better my posts. I wrote I was a pro. Period.
So funny to see "rescue squads" post every now and then to explain which side are they on.

Insider Z

My bad! So you left off BB'er, so you could be like a pro figure skater or something. I got you my bad

[Chick]

You're such a great cynic. You know Bob, anyone with any understanding of Logic will see this as you raising the white flag of surrender in this arguement.

I've been in my share of Labor struggles. Don't fret, I wear the scars from the everyday. And be rest assured...I'll earn a few more before the end of my days. But now put yourself back on the ground of reality. I haven't an audience with the pros bodybuilders. That's first. Second, I'm not a pro competitor myself. Again, if you understood anything about Unions, you'd know that the seed has to come from within. No leader will lead the athletes (workers) to the promised land. They have the ability to lead themsleves with a leader from their own ranks. They dont' need some glorious savior from without. You on the other hand Bob...didn't know what you were doing. If there was a chance...you buried it.

I think if there is a man amongst the Pros who could provide such leadership....its you Lee. You'd fight the good fight.

It' you that is in fantasyland, my friend...

what part about "they werent interested" didn't you get?

They (the athletes) don't even have the interest to attend their own meetings, let alone start and support a union.....

THATS REALITY