NHLPA Files Unfair Labor Practice Over Europeans
06/11/2008 04:13
NEW YORK - The NHL players' association filed an unfair labour practice charge with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board Tuesday regarding negotiations with clubs over European player releases.
The latest move by the union followed notification that it lost a grievance challenging the NHL's institution of defected player status on drafted and unsigned European players.
That came about because of a lack of an International Ice Hockey Federation transfer agreement between the NHL and hockey federations in some European countries.
The filing of the charge with the NLRB was confirmed by union spokesman Jonathan Weatherdon. The NHLPA declined to comment further because of the ongoing legal matter.
The New York Post first reported the union's action Tuesday on its website.
In the last collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the players' association, the union fought for European players to have the same rights as their North American counterparts.
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SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
Another prime example of a union trying to expand its membership and power base.