The situation between the ECHL and the PHPA seems to be moving backwards instead of forward with the PHPA accusing the league of making further threats.
PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay has issued the following statement:
“Earlier today, after sending a written request to the ECHL to resume talks last evening-which went unanswered-the PHPA contacted the ECHL with an offer to avoid missing any games and use a mediation or arbitration process to find 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 our membership has faced over the past 18 hours.”
Monday night, the ECHL issued a statement where they offered the following.
An immediate 16.4% increase to the salary cap for this season – to be paid retroactively from the start of the season (which would be paid upon ratification). Additional salary cap increases in future years, which would increase total player salaries nearly 27% from 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 addressing travel between back-to-back games and modifying holiday and mid-season breaks.
Enable every team to provide custom sticks and enable all players to choose an alternate 5-Star rated helmet from the Virginia Tech Helmet Study.
Increase per diems (reimbursements for meals while traveling) to $60 this year, as well as future increases that will raise it by 24.5 percent from the current rate.
In what should have been an expected move, the NHLPA also issued a statement declaring their full support of the PHPA.
“The NHLPA and its members stand in solidarity with the members of the Professional Hockey Players Association (PHPA) during their negotiations with the ECHL. With the PHPA’s strike date fast approaching, it is imperative that the ECHL abandon their current attempts to threaten players and return immediately to the bargaining table for good faith negotiations towards a fair and equitable collective agreement.”
While it’s obvious both sides don’t want to miss any games, it seems only one side is willing to make any compromises. It appears the ECHL is facing their first player strike since 2003. That strike occurred during the off season and only lasted a couple of weeks. This looming strike seems like it could last several weeks if not longer and would see a work stoppage at a significant time for owners, as the league is at risk of cancelling the first games following the holiday break, which traditionally attracts some of their biggest crowds.
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