Port of Spain (Trinidad), July 8 (IANS/CMC) The West Indies Players Association (WIPA) said it was ready to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

The CBA functions as a labour contract, outlining each side's rights and responsibilities with respect to terms and conditions for engagement of players, match fees, grievance procedures, and other topics covered under industrial relations.

WIPA said it sent its recommendations for revision, with proposed dates and venues for meetings to discuss the matter to the WICB last Thursday, and was awaiting a response from the regional governing body.

"We have already put our team together, and would like to make sure that they are available for the negotiations," said WIPA executive president Dinanath Ramnarine.

"This is why it is imperative that both parties agree on the dates as early as possible."

WIPA said it reminded the WICB about the need for an early response to its suggested dates for the negotiations over the CBA.

The players' body said both parties had complied with the three-month notice of Article 6 (Revision of the CBA) of the existing CBA, which continues in full force until a revised document is agreed to by both parties.