PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay released the following statement:
“Earlier today, after sending a written request to the ECHL to resume talks last night – which went unanswered – the PHPA contacted the ECHL with an offer to avoid missing games and use a mediation or arbitration process to reach a settlement. The ECHL responded within minutes, rejecting any interest in this solution and demanding “significant movement” and concessions from the players. This approach continues to align with the increased threats facing our membership over the past 18 hours had to make.”
On Monday evening, the ECHL released a statement offering the following.
An immediate salary cap increase of 16.4% for this season – retroactive from the start of the season (paid upon ratification). Additional salary caps in the coming years, which would increase total player salaries by almost 27% compared to the current cap.
In addition to player salaries, the ECHL will continue to cover 100 percent of player costs for:
Fully furnished housing, utility and internet costs, medical and dental benefits.
Requirements for mandatory days off, taking into account travel between consecutive matches and adjusting holiday and mid-season breaks.
Ensure that each team can provide custom sticks and that all players can choose a 5-star alternative helmet from the Virginia Tech Helmet Study.
Increasing per diem allowances (reimbursements for meals while traveling) to $60 this year, as well as future increases that will increase them by 24.5 percent over the current rate.
In what should have been an expected move, the NHLPA also released a statement expressing their full support for the PHPA.
“The NHLPA and its members stand in solidarity with the members of the Professional Hockey Players Association (PHPA) in their negotiations with the ECHL. With the PHPA strike date quickly approaching, it is imperative that the ECHL abandon their current attempts to threaten players and immediately return to the bargaining table for good faith negotiations on a fair and equitable collective agreement.”
While it is clear that both sides do not want to miss a single match, it seems that only one side is willing to compromise. It appears the ECHL is headed for its first players’ strike since 2003. That strike took place in the offseason and lasted only a few weeks. This threatened strike looks like it could last several weeks, if not longer, and would mean a work stoppage for the owners at a key time as the league risks canceling the first games after the holiday break, which traditionally draws some of their biggest crowds.
Related
#ECHL #PHPA #players #remain #stalemate #Pro #Hockey #News