Posted March 26, 200520 yr TORONTO -- The conflict between the NHL and the players' association has reached a new level. The league filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the union with the National Labor Relations Board earlier this week regarding the subject of replacement players. Should no new collective bargaining agreement be reached between the sides, the NHL could choose to begin the 2005-06 season with replacement players. But according to reports, the union told its members any player electing to compete during the labor dispute would have to give back to the NHLPA all benefits the player had received during the current work stoppage. Players are getting an estimated $10,000 per month from the union in the absence of the 2004-05 campaign. The league reportedly informed its clubs of its decision to file the grievance Friday, while the union informed SportsTicker of the existence of the complaint via e-mail. "The NHLPA confirms that the NHL has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board," an NHLPA spokesperson said in a statement. "The NHLPA will have no further comment while the matter is reviewed by the NLRB other than to say we are confident the NHL's actions and allegations are without merit." Citing a player agent, TSN of Canada is reporting the NHL is considering filing another complaint against the union in reference to the representation of replacement players. The union has reportedly told agents they would be in danger of losing their NHLPA certification should they elect to represent a replacement player. The league believes such an act would also be an unfair labor practice and is ready to file another complaint with the NLRB. On Thursday, the league officially canceled the 2005 draft, which was slated to take place in Ottawa in June. Commissioner Gary Bettman wiped out the 2004-05 campaign on Feb. 16, making the NHL the first major North American sports league to have an entire season cancelled due to a labor dispute. http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2022161
March 28, 200520 yr I want my Olli Jokinen back . 721166[/snapback] I want my hockey back! :boo-woo 721177[/snapback] I want my Joe Sakic back!
March 31, 200520 yr I would definetly go watch replacement players. You figure that alot of the older players and the ones that dont make that much would cross over and begining playing. Plus with replacement players the panthers would have a better chance of making the playoffs.
March 31, 200520 yr Author I want my ESPN SportsCenter unfettered by hockey coverage. 724755[/snapback] I want my ESPN SportsCenter unfettered by NCAA basketball and football, but you don't see me complaining.
March 31, 200520 yr Hockey's dead, just let it go. At least, I hope it won't come back. I don't want my baseball interrupted.
March 31, 200520 yr Author Hockey's dead, just let it go. At least, I hope it won't come back. I don't want my baseball interrupted. 724970[/snapback]
March 31, 200520 yr I want my ESPN SportsCenter unfettered by hockey coverage. 724755[/snapback] I want my ESPN SportsCenter unfettered by NCAA basketball and football, but you don't see me complaining. 724891[/snapback] Move to Canada.
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