PHPA Govt Director Brian Ramsay has issued the next assertion:
“Earlier immediately, after sending a written request to the ECHL to renew talks final evening-which went unanswered-the PHPA contacted the ECHL with a proposal to keep away from lacking any video games and use a mediation or arbitration course of to discover a settlement. The ECHL responded inside minutes, rejecting any curiosity on this answer and demanding “important motion” and concessions from the gamers. This method continues to align with the elevated threats our membership has confronted over the previous 18 hours.”
Monday evening, the ECHL issued an announcement the place they supplied the next.
A right away 16.4% enhance to the wage cap for this season – to be paid retroactively from the beginning of the season (which might be paid upon ratification). Further wage cap will increase in future years, which might enhance complete participant salaries almost 27% from the present cap.
Along with participant salaries, the ECHL will proceed to cowl 100% of participant prices for:
Absolutely furnished housing, utility and web prices, medical and dental advantages.
Necessities for necessary days off addressing journey between back-to-back video games and modifying vacation and mid-season breaks.
Allow each staff to supply customized sticks and allow all gamers to decide on an alternate 5-Star rated helmet from the Virginia Tech Helmet Examine.
Improve per diems (reimbursements for meals whereas touring) to $60 this yr, in addition to future will increase that may elevate it by 24.5 % from the present charge.
In what ought to have been an anticipated transfer, the NHLPA additionally issued an announcement declaring their full help of the PHPA.
“The NHLPA and its members stand in solidarity with the members of the Skilled Hockey Gamers Affiliation (PHPA) throughout their negotiations with the ECHL. With the PHPA’s strike date quick approaching, it’s crucial that the ECHL abandon their present makes an attempt to threaten gamers and return instantly to the bargaining desk for good religion negotiations in the direction of a good and equitable collective settlement.”
Whereas it’s apparent either side don’t wish to miss any video games, it appears just one facet is prepared to make any compromises. It seems the ECHL is dealing with their first participant strike since 2003. That strike occurred in the course of the off season and solely lasted a few weeks. This looming strike looks as if it may final a number of weeks if not longer and would see a piece stoppage at a big time for house owners, because the league is liable to cancelling the primary video games following the vacation break, which historically attracts a few of their greatest crowds.
