The ECHL has postponed 13 games following a strike by players, which has led to a work stoppage in the North American minor hockey league. The strike was announced on Friday by the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA), which cited several unresolved issues in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. Among these issues are travel arrangements for back-to-back games, offseason health benefits, guaranteed contracts, and player compensation.
“Our members are simply seeking reasonable improvements that allow them to work safely and earn a sustainable living while continuing to perform at a high level,” said Brian Ramsay, executive director of the PHPA. He emphasized that despite multiple attempts to engage in negotiations, the ECHL has communicated directly with players, bypassing the union’s role as their exclusive bargaining representative.
The players authorized a strike action last week, indicating a significant dissent among the ranks. Collective bargaining between the ECHL and the PHPA has been ongoing since January 2023. The league expressed disappointment, stating that union leaders prevented players from voting on its most recent offer, which would have raised player salaries by 20% in the first year. This proposal also included increases in per diems, more guaranteed off days, and expanded access to equipment.
The ECHL responded with a statement highlighting its commitment to improving player conditions while addressing financial realities. “We did everything possible to avoid this outcome and hope that the union leadership will drop its unworkable scheduling demands, let the players vote on our offer, and make it possible for players to return to work,” the league stated.
In its latest proposal, the ECHL raised the salary cap by 19.8%, an increase from the 16.4%% previously proposed. The league noted that continued negotiations must consider the financial implications of missed games due to the strike. “While we did not receive a formal response, we have heard from certain players that they will not be reporting for their scheduled games,” the league added.
The ECHL consists of 30 teams, with 29 located in the United States and one in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. As the situation develops, the impact on both the players and the league remains to be seen, with fans eagerly awaiting news on the resolution of this labor dispute.
