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NHL players move step closer to dissolving union
Source: Agencies |
December 23, 2012, Sunday
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NHL players are a step closer to dissolving their union, which would clear the path for players to file antitrust lawsuits against the NHL in their protracted labor dispute.
Union members voted this week to give the players' association's executive board the power to file a "disclaimer of interest" until January 2.
A person familiar with the outcome of the vote said on Friday that the measure passed easily, drawing more than the two-thirds majority that was necessary. However, the executive board hasn't made plans yet to meet to discuss whether to file the disclaimer. If the January 2 deadline passes, another authorization vote could be held to approve a filing at a later date.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the results of the vote had not been announced.
If the executive board files the disclaimer, the union would dissolve and become a trade association, allowing the players to file lawsuits against the NHL.
Negotiations between the NHL and the union have been at a standstill since talks ended on December 6.
Time is running short to save the season, with all games through January 14 already canceled. A new labor agreement would need to be in place by about that time to salvage a 48-game schedule, the minimum in Commissioner Gary Bettman's opinion for the season to proceed.
The NHL is the only North American professional sports league to cancel an entire season because of a labor dispute, losing the 2004-05 campaign.
Union members voted this week to give the players' association's executive board the power to file a "disclaimer of interest" until January 2.
A person familiar with the outcome of the vote said on Friday that the measure passed easily, drawing more than the two-thirds majority that was necessary. However, the executive board hasn't made plans yet to meet to discuss whether to file the disclaimer. If the January 2 deadline passes, another authorization vote could be held to approve a filing at a later date.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the results of the vote had not been announced.
If the executive board files the disclaimer, the union would dissolve and become a trade association, allowing the players to file lawsuits against the NHL.
Negotiations between the NHL and the union have been at a standstill since talks ended on December 6.
Time is running short to save the season, with all games through January 14 already canceled. A new labor agreement would need to be in place by about that time to salvage a 48-game schedule, the minimum in Commissioner Gary Bettman's opinion for the season to proceed.
The NHL is the only North American professional sports league to cancel an entire season because of a labor dispute, losing the 2004-05 campaign.
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