Around the league: Collective bargaining negotiations begin

Date set for initial meeting between union, league

The initiation of formal negotiations between the Professional Hockey Players Association and the Central Hockey League began on May 21-23rd. CHL Communications director Bob Hoffman said the league wanted to have at least one meeting with the PHPA before the league conference in mid-June to begin negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The PHPA had announced their certification by the National Labor Relations Board as the recognized collective bargaining unit for Central Hockey League Players. CHL players voted in favor of union representation through a secret ballot vote, conducted by the NLRB throughout the week of March 17-21. Each active CHL player was afforded the opportunity to vote for or against PHPA representation. The ballots were counted on March 25th with formal certification taking place on April 1st after a 7-day objection period.

“This is a watershed moment in hockey history, and we very much look forward to working with CHL players and management to create stable, sustainable markets with enhanced benefits and working conditions,” said PHPA Executive Director, Larry Landon. “I am confident that CHL Owners will embrace the credibility which the League will receive with our involvement,” said Landon. “We look forward to working with CHL players, in the advancement and protection of their rights, thereby enhancing their experience in professional hockey.”

Once the certification took place, each player was forwarded a Collective Bargaining Agreement questionnaire, which the union uses to create negotiation strategies as it pertains to the player’s thoughts and desires on issues important to them. The PHPA negotiating team is comprised of 3-6 CHL players, 2 attorneys and PHPA staff, guided by the findings obtained by the questionnaire

You can read the questionnaire here

You can read a summary of the current AHL Collective Bargaining Agreement here

You can read a summary of the current ECHL Collective Bargaining Agreement here

The PHPA was founded in 1967 and is the labor union representing over 1400 players on 54 teams in the American Hockey League (AHL) and the ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League). The main function of the PHPA is to negotiate and protect player benefits by way of a Collective Bargaining Agreement. These benefits include: health and welfare benefits, training camp allowances, travel and trade relocation expenses, daily per diem, housing allowances, licensing rights, revenue-sharing, and Membership Assistance Programs. The PHPA is the only union in professional sports representing players at the minor league level.

Image Credit: Professional Hockey Players Association