PHPA Becomes Collective Bargaining Unit for CHL Players

By Darryl Dionne  Published on: Tuesday April 01, 2008

(St. Catharines, ON) The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) is pleased to announce the certification of the PHPA as the recognized collective bargaining unit for Central Hockey League (CHL) players.

CHL players voted in favor of PHPA representation through a secret-ballot vote, conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), throughout the week of March 17-21, 2008. Each active CHL player was afforded the opportunity to vote for or against PHPA representation. The ballots were counted Tuesday, March 25, 2008, with formal certification taking effect Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 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. “The PHPA has been advancing and protecting players’ rights for over 40 years, and this will no doubt, further solidify hockey’s “AA” system.”

In the very near future, representatives of the PHPA, along with a group of CHL players, will initiate negotiations with CHL management with a goal of ratifying an initial Collective Bargaining Agreement, based primarily on the input and feedback from CHL players.

“The PHPA received a tremendous amount of support from the hockey community, including the NHLPA, when educating CHL Players as to the benefits of a collective voice by way of PHPA representation,” added Landon. “This brings instant credibility to the CHL, and I am confident that all stakeholders will come to embrace the PHPA moving forward.”

About the PHPA

Since its inception in 1967, the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) has continued to serve as an advocate of player interests. Currently, it is the U.S. National Labor Relations Board recognized collective bargaining unit for over 1,400 players on 54 teams in the American Hockey League and the ECHL, respectively.

Contact:Darryl Dionne
Director of Communications & Business Development
PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION
(905) 682-4800
ddionne@phpa.com